THE  MELV1N  MEMORIAL 


out   Id 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

OF 


.  Jl/ul 


JAMES   C.  MELVIN, 

88    CLINTON    ST., 

BOSTON,    MASS. 


With  the  compliments  of 

the  surviving  brother 


THE 

MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

SLEEPY  HOLLOW  CEMETERY 
CONCORD,    MASSACHUSETTS 

Cribute 


EXERCISES  AT  DEDICATION 
JUNE   16,  1909 


CAMBRIDGE 

at 

1910 


,c 


COPYRIGHT,    1910,    BY  JAMES   C.    MfiLVIN 
ALL    RIGHTS    RESERVED 


Peaceful  he  sleeps,  with  all  our  rights  adorn'd, 
Forever  honor'd,  and  forever  mourn'd." 

Iliad. 


Of  THE 

UNIVERSITY 

CAL 


PREFACE 

OCCASIONALLY  a  dream  is  realized.  That  a  lad  in  his 
teens,  his  soul  filled  with  love  for  his  brothers,  sorrow  for 
their  untimely  deaths,  and  admiration  for  their  daring 
and  devotion,  should  in  visions  see  a  fitting  monument 
to  their  memory  is  not  so  strange,  but  that  he,  in  his  later 
manhood,  should  be  able  to  see  his  dream  take  tangible 
form  is  almost  marvelous.  Then,  too,  comes  another 
happy  feature  in  that  he  is  able  to  summon  to  the  dedi 
cation  of  his  tribute  the  old  companions  of  the  "early 
fallen,"  those  who  knew  his  brothers  when  all  were 
replete  with  life  and  energy,  and  they  alone,  with  un 
studied  word,  devote  the  memorial  to  its  solemn  mission. 
They  are  neither  great  scholars  nor  writers  of  note,  but 
their  expressions  of  memory  and  love  come  bright  from 
their  recollections  of  more  than  forty  years. 

It  has  been  said  that  no  equal  area  in  the  world  con 
tains  so  many  graves  of  famous  people  of  letters  as  does 
that  burial-ground,  known  as  the  "Sleepy  Hollow  "  of 
Concord.  It  is  a  fact  that  were  all  the  dwellers  there 
simultaneously  to  respond  to  the  resurrection -call, 
Thoreau  would  be  within  easy  conversing  distance  from 
Hawthorne  and  Emerson,  and  all  could  readily  talk 
with  the  Alcotts,  the  father  and  his  still  more  noted 


vi  PREFACE 

daughters,  while  a  minute's  walk  would  carry  the  entire 
group  to  the  enclosure  where  now  reposes  the  mortality 
of  Samuel  Hoar  and  his  far  wider-known  sons,  E.  Rock- 
wood  and  George  Frisbie.  Well  worn  are  the  paths 
leading  to  the  last  resting-places  of  these  men  and 
women  of  world-wide  repute,  and  worthy,  indeed,  must 
be  the  memorial  which  will  in  any  degree  divide  with 
them  the  interest  of  visitors.  It  would  seem  that  an 
addition  had  been  made  to  the  shrines  of  the  Cemetery, 
and  the  pilgrims  who  resort  thither  already  ask  for  the 
"Mourning  Victory"  who  maintains  sleepless  vigils 
over  her  sacred  trust.  When  the  brother  sought  a  sculp 
tor  who  could  embody  in  marble  the  thought  which  had 
crowded  his  brain  for  many  a  weary  year,  fortunate  was 
he  in  finding  him  in  the  person  of  his  old  associate  and 
friend,  Daniel  Chester  French,  himself  a  Concord  boy 
and  man,  whose  Minute  Man  of  1775  had,  in  one  brief 
day,  written  the  name  of  the  artist  high  on  the  scroll  of 
fame.  Entering  into  the  mind  and  heart  of  the  loving 
kinsman,  he  gives  to  the  clay  and  marble  an  embodi 
ment  which  even  the  untaught  at  once  recognize  as  a 
life-like  realization  of  man's  love  for  man  and  reverence 
for  his  manly  virtues.  Though  the  dead  do  not  appear 
in  solid  form,  yet  every  beholder  is  conscious  that  Vic 
tory  ever  sees  the  "  Embattled  Farmer,"  whether  he 
stands  by  the  "  rude  bridge  which  arched  the  flood," 
or  on  hospital  cot,  in  the  battle-front  or  in  starving  stock 
ade,  almost  a  century  later,  he  gives  his  life  for  country. 


PREFACE  vii 

While  a  generation  intervenes  between  the  figure  by  the 
riverside  and  that  which  holds  its  solemn  trust  in  Sleepy 
Hollow,  and  though  the  touch  of  the  great  artist  is  seen 
in  many  a  labor  elsewhere,  even  he  must  grant  that  all 
other  work,  however  beautiful,  lacks  the  soul  which 
home  and  heart  have  imparted  to  his  earliest  and  his 
latest.  To  paint  the  lily  has  ever  been  deemed  the  sever 
est  of  tasks,  yet  even  this,  our  artist,  inspired  by  friend 
ship  and  appreciation  of  the  true  and  the  beautiful,  has 
accomplished  in  that  his  chisel  and  genius  have  added 
new  interest  to  the  home  of  the  dead  in  Concord. 

ALFRED  S.  ROE,  Editor. 


CONTENTS 

THE  MEMORIAL          .        .        .        .        .  .1 

THE  DEDICATION  OF  THE  MEMORIAL        ...      4 

THE  DINNER 21 

POST-PRANDIAL  SPEECHES,  COL.  J.  PAYSON  BRAD 
LEY  PRESIDING 24 

JAMES  C.  MELVIN 26 

SIDNEY  POORE    .        .        .        .        .        .        .    31 

Lucius  A.  WILDER 32 

CAPT.  WILLIAM  H.  MERROW     .        .        .        .36 

E.  K.  JENKINS 40 

FRANK  E.  FARNHAM 42 

COL.  JOHN  W.  HART 47 

S.  C.  FROST 50 

LEWIS  G.  HOLT .52 

S.  B.  DEARBORN         ......     54 

CHARLES  H.  SHAW 58 

LUTHER  WAIT 59 

GEORGE  S.  GIBSON 61 

JOSEPH  E.  WILEY 64 

GEORGE  H.  LEWIS      .        .        .        .        .        -65 


x  CONTENTS 

HENRY  M.  HAWKINS         ...        .        .68 

GEORGE  F.  WHEELER 69 

GEORGE  B.  CLARK 70 

DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 77 

APPENDIX: 

A.  THE  NAMES  OF  THOSE  PRESENT  AT  THE  EXER 
CISES 137 

B.  A  SKETCH  OF  THE  FIRST  MASSACHUSETTS  HEAVY 
ARTILLERY.     BY  ALFRED  S.  ROE     .         .        .141 

C.  THE  MORTALITY  AT  ANDERSONVILLE       .        .  145 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

MOURNING  VICTORY Frontispiece 

From  the  Melvin  Memorial  by  Daniel  Chester  French. 
Reproduced  from  the  original  clay  model  (reversed). 

THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL,  SLEEPY  HOLLOW  CEMETERY, 
CONCORD,  MASS.    .......       i 

Daniel  Chester  French,  Sculptor ;  Henry  Bacon,  Architect. 
From  a  photograph  by  Herbert  W.  Gleason. 

ASA  HEALD  MELVIN 12 

From  a  photograph  by  Brady. 

JOHN  HEALD  MELVIN 14 

From  a  photograph  by  Brady. 

SAMUEL  MELVIN 16 

From  an  ambrotype  taken  during  the  war. 

THE  TABLETS,  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  .        .        .        .     18 

From  a  photograph  by  Herbert  W.  Gleason. 

THE  MELVIN  HOMESTEAD  OFF  THE  LOWELL  ROAD, 
CONCORD,  MASS 28 

Built  during  the  latter  part  of  eighteenth  century. 

Burned  by  vandals  in  1903. 

From  a  painting  by  Stacy  Tolman  in  1886. 

VETERANS  OF  FIRST  MASSACHUSETTS  HEAVY  ARTIL 
LERY  AT  THE  DEDICATION,  JUNE  16,  1909    .        .     50 

From  a  photograph  by  Notman. 


xii  ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACSIMILE  OF  THE  LAST  TWO  PAGES  OF  THE  DIARY 
KEPT  BY  SAMUEL  MELVIN  IN  ANDERSONVILLE      .     78 

THE  BUGLE       . 

This  was  used  by  Bugler  J.  Payson  Bradley,  who  sounded  the  charge 
June  16, 1864,  in  the  battle  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  in  which  Asa  H. 
Melvin  was  killed.  It  was  also  used  by  Col.  J.  Payson  Bradley  to 
sound  taps  June  16, 1909,  at  the  dedication  of  the  Melvin  Memorial. 
The  same  cord  is  on  the  bugle  now  (1910)  that  was  used  during  the 
war. 

From  a  photograph  by  N.  L.  Stebbins. 


THE   "PINE-BEMURMURED   RIDGE" 

From  the  poem,  read  by  James  Russell  Lowell,  at  the  Centennial  of  the 
Fight  at  Concord  Bridge,  April  19,  17/5.  The  title  refers  to  that  part 
of  "  Sleepy  Hollow  "  where  rest  Hawthorne,  Thoreau,  and  Emerson. 

FREEDOM 

"  Why  cometh  she  hither  to-day 
To  this  low  village  of  the  plain 
Far  from  the  Present's  loud  highway, 
From  Trade's  cool  heart  and  seething  brain  ? 
Why  cometh  she  ?    She  was  not  far  away. 
Since  the  soul  touched  it,  not  in  vain, 
With  pathos  of  immortal  gain, 
'T  is  here  her  fondest  memories  stay. 
She  loves  yon  pine-bemurmured  ridge 
Where  now  our  broad-browed  poet  sleeps, 
Dear  to  both  England*  ;  near  him  he 
Who  wore  the  ring  of  Canace ; 
But  most  her  heart  to  rapture  leaps 
Where  stood  that  era-parting  bridge, 
O'er  which,  with  footfall  still  as  dew, 
The  Old  Time  passed  into  the  New; 
Where,  as  your  stealthy  river  creeps, 
He  whispers  to  his  listening  weeds 
Tales  of  sublimest  homespun  deeds. 
Here  English  law  and  English  thought 
'Gainst  the  self-will  of  England  fought; 
And  here  were  men  (coequal  with  their  fate), 
Who  did  great  things,  unconscious  they  were  great." 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 

OF 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 


MEMORIAL 

THE  MEMORIAL  which  Mr.  James  C.  Melvin  has 
caused  to  be  erected  in  Sleepy  Hollow  Cemetery,  Con 
cord,  M^ss.,  to  his  three  brothers,  —  Asa  Heald  Mel 
vin,  John  Heald  Melvin,  and  Samuel  Melvin,  sons 
of  Asa  *  and  Caroline  2  (Heald)  Melvin  —  who,  en 
listing  as  private  soldiers  in  the  United  States  service  in 
the  Civil  War,  had  died  either  in  battle,  hospital,  or 
Rebel  prison,  was  dedicated  on  Wednesday,  June  16, 
1909,  the  anniversary  of  the  charge  at  Petersburg  in 
which  one  of  the  three  was  killed.  Although  nearly 
forty-five  years  had  elapsed  since  the  close  of  the  war, 
eighty-eight  members  of  the  First  Massachusetts  Heavy 
Artillery,  the  regiment  of  which  the  three  brothers 
whose  services  were  commemorated  had  been  members, 
responded  to  Mr.  Melvin's  invitation  to  dedicate  the 
Memorial.  They  were  escorted  to  and  from  the  ceme 
tery  by  twenty  of  the  twenty-five  surviving  members 
of  Old  Concord  Post,  No.  180,  G.  A.  R. 

The  Memorial,  which  is  the  work  of  Daniel  Chester 

French,  the  sculptor  of  the  Minute  Man  at  the  Old 

North  Bridge,  and  a  life-long  friend  of  Mr.  Melvin, 

is  in  the  general  style  of  the  Italian  Renaissance.  It 

1  1804-1858.  *  1810-1863. 


2  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

consists  of  a  central  shaft  about  twenty  feet  in  height 
resting  on  a  platform  twenty-five  feet  by  eight  feet,  with 
retaining  walls  on  the  back  and  sides.  At  either  end  is 
a  seat,  and  steps  extending  entirely  across  the  front 
afford  access  to  the  platform.  The  whole  is  executed  in 
Knoxville  marble.  The  central  shaft,  of  which  the  upper 
ten  or  twelve  feet  form  a  monolith,  has  carved  upon  it, 
in  relief  and  intaglio,  a  female  figure  seven  feet  in  height, 
representing  a  mourning  Victory,  enveloped  in  the 
American  flag.  The  right  hand  lifts  the  folds  of  the  flag, 
revealing  the  head  and  the  body  of  the  figure,  while  the 
left,  outstretched,  holds  a  laurel  branch.  The  head  is 
inclined  somewhat  downward,  with  eyes  downcast,  as 
if  watching  over  the  three  tablets  inserted  in  the  floor 
of  the  monument.  The  tablets  are  of  dark  slate,  six  feet 
by  three  feet,  set  side  by  side,  and  bear  the  names,  dates, 
and  places  of  death,  in  bronze  letters,  of  the  three  men 
they  commemorate.  A  musket  and  wreath  in  bronze  are 
inlaid  in  each  tablet,  occupying  the  space  above  the 
inscription. 
Upon  the  central  shaft  is  inscribed  the  following :  - 

IN  MEMORY  OF  THREE  BROTHERS  BORN  IN  CONCORD  WHO  AS 
PRIVATE  SOLDIERS  GAVE  THEIR  LIVES  IN  THE  WAR  TO  SAVE  THE 
COUNTRY  THIS  MEMORIAL  IS  PLACED  HERE  BY  THEIR  SURVIVING 
BROTHER,  HIMSELF  A  PRIVATE  SOLDIER  IN  THE  SAME  WAR 


SALUTE    THE    SACRED    DEAD 
WHO   WENT   AND    WHO    RETURN    NOT1 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  3 

And  the  inscriptions  upon  the  tablets  read:  — 

ASA  HEALD  MELVIN       JOHN  HEALD  MELVIN  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

TAKEN  PRISONER  AT 

HARRIS'S  FARM,  VA. 

MAY  IQ,   1864 

DIED  AT 

ANDERSONVILLE,  GA. 
SEPTEMBER,   1864 


KILLED 

IN  BATTLE  BEFORE 

PETERSBURG,  VA. 

JUNE   l6,   1864 


DIED  IN  A 
MILITARY  HOSPITAL 

AT 

FORT  ALBANY,  VA. 

OCTOBER  13 

l863 


MEMBERS  OF  COMPANY  K,  FIRST  MASSACHUSETTS  HEAVY  ARTILLERY 


DEDICATION 

COLONEL  J.  PAYSON  BRADLEY  was  in  general  charge 
of  the  arrangements  for  the  day,  and  Lieutenant  Peter 
D.  Smith,  on  behalf  of  the  President  of  the  First  Massa 
chusetts  Heavy  Artillery  Association,  took  charge  of  the 
programme  at  the  Memorial ;  both  Comrades  are  vet 
erans  of  the  regiment,  and  Past  Commanders  of  the  De 
partment  of  Massachusetts,  G.  A.  R.  The  ceremony  of 
dedication  was  performed  by  the  Heavy  Artillery,  whose 
members  reached  Concord  at  9.52  A.  M.  in  two  special 
cars  from  Boston,  and  were  taken  in  barges  to  the  ar 
mory  of  Company  I,  Sixth  Massachusetts  Infantry,  the 
headquarters  of  Old  Concord  Post,  on  Walden  Street. 
At  the  entrance  to  the  armory  two  members  of  Com 
pany  I,  Sixth  Infantry,  M.  V.  M.,  were  on  guard.  As 
sembling  by  companies  in  the  drill-hall,  the  visiting 
veterans  were  addressed  by  Colonel  Bradley,  who  out 
lined  the  arrangements,  and  then  said :  - 

"Comrades,  I  wish  to  introduce  to  you  Comrade 
James  C.  Melvin,  the  remaining  one  of  the  four  Melvin 
brothers  who  served  in  the  Union  army.  [Applause.] 
I  wish  to  introduce  him  so  that  you  may  know  the  com 
rade  whose  invitation  we  have  accepted  to-day,  and 
whose  purpose  of  many  years  ago  is  about  to  be  accom- 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  5 

plished.  He  is  more  than  happy,  he  tells  me,  to  see  so 
many  of  the  old  regiment  turn  out  to  honor  the  memory 
of  his  three  brothers,  members  of  Company  K  of  this 
regiment,  who  gave  their  lives  in  the  service  of  the 
Union,  and  whose  memorial  we  dedicate  this  day." 

After  Mr.  Melvin  had  bowed  an  acknowledgment, 
Colonel  Bradley  continued,  "This  is  one  of  the  most 
pleasing  and  yet  sad  ceremonies  that  it  has  ever  been 
our  duty  to  perform.  Comrade  Smith  has  consented  to 
take  charge  of  the  programme  until  we  return  to  the 
hotel  at  the  close  of  the  exercises  at  the  Memorial.  I 
now  turn  you  over  to  his  direction." 

Cheers  for  the  First  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery 
were  given  by  the  Post,  and  for  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic  by  the  Veterans  of  the  Association.  Then  the 
Post,  George  F.  Wheeler  commanding,  escorted  the 
visiting  regiment  to  the  cemetery,  where  a  detail  from 
Company  I  of  the  Sixth,  under  the  command  of  Ser 
geant  Albertus  L.  Dakin,  was  guarding  the  grounds 
surrounding  the  Memorial.  Pleasure  was  added  to  the 
programme  of  dedication  by  the  presence  and  singing  of 
the  Grand  Army  Glee  Club,  consisting  of  Colonel  Wil 
liam  M.  Olin,  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth,  Past 
Department  Commander  Silas  A.  Barton,  Comrades 
John  Gardner,  Frank  B.  Perkins,  and  Isaac  F.  Kings- 
bury.  Lieutenant  Smith  opened  the  exercises  at 
II  A.  M.,  saying:  — 

"Comrades  and  Friends:  I  stand  before  you  to-day 


6  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

representing  the  First  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery, 
although  not  President  of  the  Association.  The  Presi 
dent,  finding  his  voice  unequal  to  the  task,  desires  me 
to  take  charge  of  the  exercises  at  the  cemetery.  We  are 
standing  in  this  silent  camping-ground  of  the  dead, 
where  many  of  our  comrades  who  went  with  us  in  186 1 
and  1865  are  sleeping,  resting,  waiting  for  the  roll-call 
above.  A  few  of  us  have  come  here  to-day  to  assist  our 
Comrade  Melvin  in  dedicating  this  monument  to  the 
memory  of  his  three  brothers  who  went  forthwith  us  in 
the  days  of  '6 1  in  the  defence  of  our  country,  but  who 
long  since  passed  on  to  the  other  shore  and  are  waiting 
for  us  there.  We  hope  there  are  yet  some  years  for  us, 
but  still  we  realize  that  they  are  telling  and  the  time  is 
coming  soon  when  we  too  must  enter  and  be  enrolled 
with  those  who  have  crossed  over  the  river. 

"It  recalls  to  us,  Comrades  and  Friends,  those  (Jays 
when  these  three  boys  were  young,  the  same  as  we,  and 
they  went  out  in  Company  K  of  the  First  Heavy  Artil 
lery,  which  was  at  first  the  Fourteenth  Infantry,  and 
gave  the  best  of  their  years  to  the  service  of  our  country. 
We  wish  they  could  be  with  us  upon  some  other  occa 
sion  than  this;  but  their  battle  has  been  fought,  their 
victory  won,  and  they  are  now  waiting  for  those  of  us 
who  tarry  here  a  little  longer,  to  come  and  join  with 
them  in  the  great  parade  above.  Comrade  Bradley  has 
brought  that  ever-memorable  bugle  that  he  used  as 
a  boy  in  the  regiment,  sounding  the  Charge  and  the 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  7 

Assembly,  and  he  will  give  us  the  call  for  the  latter 
order  first." 

Comrade  Bradley  then  sounded  the  Assembly,  using 
for  the  purpose  the  bugle  with  which  he,  as  regimental 
bugler,  had  sounded  the  charge  at  Petersburg,  June  16, 
1864. 

Next  followed  Walter  Kittredge's  famous  song, 
"Tenting  to-night  on  the  Old  Camp  Ground,"  as  sung 
by  the  Glee  Club,  after  which  the  Rev.  Comrade  John 
W.  Brownville  (Co.  I)  of  Gloucester  invoked  God's 
presence  and  blessing,  saying :  - 

"Almighty  God,  our  Heavenly  Father,  our  ever- 
present  and  personal  friend,  we  thank  Thee  for  what 
Thou  hast  already  wrought  in  our  behalf  in  connection 
with  this  day's  proceedings.  We  thank  Thee  for  the 
natural  sunshine,  and  we  pray  that  we  may  also  realize 
the  sunshine  which  comes  from  a  consciousness  of  Thy 
divine  presence.  And  before  we  proceed  further,  we  de 
sire  to  look  into  Thy  face,  we  desire  to  invoke  Thy  bless 
ing  upon  all  who  are  immediately  interested  in  this 
event,  and  we  pray  for  a  blessing  upon  all  who  may  read 
an  account  of  these  proceedings  in  the  press.  Help  us 
to  realize  Thy  presence. 

"  Thou  art  here,  O  God,  and  we  desire  to  realize  Thy 
blessing  in  prompting  so  many  of  the  comrades  of  these 
brave  men,  who  gave  their  lives  so  freely  for  the  Union, 


8  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

to  come  here  to-day,  and  we  believe  that  they  must  ever 
esteem  it  as  one  of  the  greatest  privileges  of  their  entire 
lives,  that  they  were  permitted  to  bear  a  part  in  these 
exercises. 

"  We  invoke  Thy  blessing,  O  God,  upon  this  man,  our 
comrade,  who  long  ago  resolved,  with  a  heart  full  of 
fraternal  love,  to  erect  that  which  should  be  a  perpetual 
reminder  to  himself  and  all  beholders  of  the  devotion  of 
his  three  brave  brothers,  of  their  patriotism,  and  of  the 
manner  in  which  they  showed  their  love  for  their  im 
perilled  country.  We  ask,  O  God,  that  Thy  blessing 
may  rest  upon  these  friends  who  are  related  in  any  way 
to  our  departed  heroes.  God  help  us  to  keep  ever  in 
memory  those  who  at  home  performed  deeds  of  valor 
and  made  sacrifices  greater  in  many  respects  than  any 
that  were  made  by  the  boys  at  the  front;  and  we 
further  ask  that  Thy  special  blessing  may  rest  upon  the 
immediate  representatives  of  this  family,  of  such  un 
faltering  patriotism  that  they  were  willing  to  send  four 
of  their  boys  to  fight  the  battles  for  the  Union.  All  the 
anguish  in  that  home,  these  friends,  this  surviving  bro 
ther,  may  remember.  We  pray  that  Thou  wilt  comfort 
him  as  he  stands  here  in  the  presence  of  this  Memorial, 
and  as  he  remembers  the  circumstances  under  which 
these  boys  went  forth  to  fight ;  and  we  pray  that  Thou 
wilt  wonderfully  bless  him  for  this  act  of  love  and  for  his 
thoughtful  remembrance  of  the  members  of  the  regi 
ment  in  which  his  brothers  served.  We  trust,  O  God, 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  9 

that  this  may  be  in  many  respects  the  most  satisfactory 
moment  that  he  has  ever  known,  and  to  his  fellow 
veterans,  the  most  interesting  occasion  on  which  they 
have  ever  gathered  to  pay  loving  respect  to  their  fallen 
friends. 

"O  Lord,  thou  knowest  just  what  is  fitting.  We 
need  not  wait  long  in  Thy  presence.  Thou  knowest  our 
hearts.  We  ask  that  Thy  blessing  may  rest  in  its  richest 
form  upon  all  who  are  concerned  in  this  event.  Bless  all 
of  us  in  such  a  way  that  God  shall  be  honored,  the  rela 
tives  of  these  deceased  comrades  comforted,  and  all 
heaven  made  to  rejoice  over  an  act  at  once  so  gracious 
and  so  full  of  friendship,  love,  and  loyalty.  Let  the  bless 
ing  come,  O  God,  and  unto  Thy  name,  Father,  Son,  and 
Spirit,  will  we  give  all  the  praise.  Amen." 

A  poem  for  the  occasion  had  been  hastily  written 
by  Comrade  WTilliam  Sharrock  (Co.  F.),  Lawrence. 
Though  he  was  wounded,  with  so  many  others  of  his 
regiment,  June  18,  1864,  in  one  of  the  many  fights  in 
front  of  Petersburg,  he  came  home  with  all  of  his 
limbs.  July  4,  1865,  when  the  City  of  Lawrence  was 
celebrating  Independence  Day  and  Appomattox,  at 
one  and  the  same  time,  while  assisting  in  firing  a 
cannon,  Sharrock  had  the  terrible  misfortune  to  lose 
both  arms  through  the  premature  discharge  of  the  gun. 
Acquiring  the  ability  to  write  with  a  pen  held  between 
his  teeth,  for  many  years  he  thus  wrote  his  letters,  but 


io  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

failing  eyesight  compelled  him  to  use  a  pen  fitted  to 
an  artificial  hand.  This  he  says  is  not  so  convenient. 
The  poem  was  then  read  by  Comrade  Wm.  J. 
Mansfield  (Co.  L),  Wakefield,  Secretary  of  the  Asso 
ciation. 

MOVE   SOFTLY 

Hush!  move  softly  where  you  tread. 
'T  is  hallowed  by  our  noble  dead. 
The  clash  of  battle  now  is  o'er, 
They  now  await  the  eternal  shore. 
Nay,  not  eternal;  they  rest  awhile. 
The  reveille  will  form  the  file. 
They'll  answer  to  the  Captain's  call, 
And,  "Here!"  answer  one  and  all. 

The  Captain  watched  the  glorious  fight 
Yes,  guided  He  both  day  and  night, 
Permit  He  could  not  sin  to  sway, 
And  destined  it  must  pass  away. 
Reign  on  forever,  Peace  and  Truth, 
Contend  for  this,  ye  men  and  youth. 
That  when  the  final  roll  shall  call 
You'll  answer  "Here!"  one  and  all. 

Hush !  move  softly  where  you  tread. 
They  sleep  within  their  narrow  bed, 
And  now  await  the  trumpet's  sound 
To  pace  upon  celestial  ground. 
The  bugle  sounds  at  Captain's  will. 
Be  fervent  all!    Be  still!    Be  still! 
The  reveille  will  soon  be  called, 
They'll  answer  "Here!"  one  and  all. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  u 

Hush !  move  softly  where  you  tread. 
'T  is  hallowed  by  the  noble  dead  — 
Not  dead!  resurgent  (to  rise  again); 
To  join  with  Angels'  sweet  refrain; 
They  but  await  the  bugle's  sound 
To  pace  upon  celestial  ground, 
That  when  the  reveille  shall  sound  its  call, 
They'll  answer  "Here!"  one  and  all. 

Here,  the  Glee  Club  rendered  Mrs.  Julia  Ward  Howe's 
"Battle  Hymn  of  the  Republic." 

Comrade  J.  Payson  Bradley  (Co.  B.),  Boston,  then 
gave  the  following  impromptu  address :  - 

« Comrades  of  the  old  First  Massachusetts  Heavy 
Artillery  and  good  friends  assembled  here  to-day:  As 
the  youngest  member  of  the  old  regiment  present,  and 
as  one  who  forty-five  years  ago  to-day  was  in  front  of 
Petersburg,  where  one  of  the  Melvin  boys  lost  his  life, 
it  has  become  my  sweet,  sad  duty,  by  the  request  of  the 
surviving  brother  of  that  family,  to  address  you  on  the 
occasion  of  the  dedication  of  this  memorial  to  his  three 
brothers,  members  of  Company  K  of  our  regiment,  who 
went  out  but  did  not  return.  Our  regiment,  it  seems  to 
me,  always  had  sudden  calls  to  duty,  and  I  would  not  be 
true  to  the  patriotic  tradition  of  its  birthplace,  old  Essex 
County,  or  to  this  family  whom  we  honor  to-day,  or  to 
my  own  family,  if  I  did  not  act  the  part  of  the  minute 
man  by  responding  at  almost  a  moment's  notice  to  a 
duty  such  as  we  are  performing. 

«  Over  one  hundred  years  ago  this  part  of  our  country 


12  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

was  stirred  by  the  midnight  ride  of  Paul  Revere.  From 
Boston  to  Lexington  and  towards  Concord  he  rode, 
giving  notice  that  the  English  army  was  coming  out  to 
this  town  to  destroy  military  stores  which  had  been  here 
gathered.  This  family,  which  had  seen  service  under  the 
Provincial  Governors  at  Crown  Point,  at  Louisburg, 
and  at  Quebec,  did  not  forget  their  duty  when  that  hour 
of  danger  came,  and  it  was  a  Melvin  who  rang  the  bell 
at  Concord  to  notify  the  people  of  the  oncoming  of  the 
invader.  As  they  were  represented  all  through  the 
Colonial  and  Indian  wars  and  in  the  War  of  the  Revo 
lution,  you  are  not  surprised,  my  friends,  to  know  that 
they  were  not  wanting  when  this  country  which  their 
forefathers  helped  to  found  was  in  danger,  and  they 
sprang  again  to  arms  when  our  great  commander, 
Abraham  Lincoln,  directed  the  loyal  men  of  the 
country  to  assemble  in  defence  of  our  national  capi 
tal. 

"  One  of  the  boys  from  the  plough  in  the  field,  with 
only  a  few  moments'  warning,  without  even  going  home 
to  put  on  different  raiment,  went  to  the  armory  of  your 
home  company  of  the  Fifth  Massachusetts  militia,  en 
rolled  himself  in  it,  and  went  forth  to  battle  for  his  coun 
try.  And  as  the  war  progressed,  one  after  another  of 
these  boys  entered  the  army,  until,  before  the  close  of 
the  war,  the  four  brothers  were  serving  under  the  Stars 
and  Stripes,  which  you,  my  comrades,  carry  in  this 
solemn  yet  glad  procession  to-day.  There  were  other 


V  of  THE 

UHIVERB.T 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  13 

families  that  were  represented  by  the  entire  male  mem 
bership,  but  there  were  not  many  in  which  four  brothers, 
leaving  behind  a  widowed  mother  and  two  sisters,  went 
forth  with  their  commendation  and  blessing  and  fought 
for  the  Union  and  the  flag,  and  you  will  find  still  less, 
that,  when  the  war  was  over,  had  only  a  single  mem 
ber  to  return  and  keep  in  lasting  memory  the  pa 
triotic  service  which  three  of  them  sealed  with  their 
lives. 

"It  is  certainly  very  happy,  even  amid  these  symbols  of 
mourning,  for  the  old  regiment  to  assemble  here  to-day 
at  the  kind  invitation  of  the  remaining  brother,  and  with 
him  dedicate  this  beautiful  memorial  to  the  three  bro 
thers,  older  than  himself,  who  laid  down  their  lives 
that  the  nation  might  be  preserved.  We  honor  not  only 
the  brothers  who  have  passed  over,  but  we  would,  in 
this  large  assembly  of  the  old  regiment  to-day,  honor 
him  who  remains,  who  after  the  war  vowed  that  if  pros 
perity  came  to  him  he  would  erect  a  memorial  to  those 
who  were  near  and  dear  to  him;  and  to-day  we 
see  before  us  that  vow  fulfilled.  How  appropriately 
and  how  beautifully  it  has  been  carried  out  is  shown 
by  this  figure  representing  ' Mourning  Victory';  for, 
Comrades,  you  know  that  all  our  victories  brought 
with  them  the  stirring  of  our  hearts'  tenderest  feeling, 
and  a  tear  for  those  whose  death  made  the  victory  pos 
sible. 

"We  cannot  forget  that  to-day,  the  i6th  of  June,  is  the 


i4  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

forty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  engagement  before  Peters 
burg,  Virginia,  when  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  having 
fought  through  the  Wilderness  and  at  Cold  Harbor, 
crossed  the  James  River  and  made  that  march  upon 
what  proved  to  be  the  stronghold  of  the  Confederacy. 
It  was  on  that  I5th  of  June,  1864,  that  we  heard  early 
in  the  afternoon  the  firing  of  Smith's  division  of  the 
Army  of  the  James  as  it  made  its  successful  assault  on 
the  extreme  outer  works  of  Petersburg,  held  by  a  small 
force  hastily  gathered  together.  That  night  we  arrived 
before  the  city,  and  the  next  day,  the  i6th,  just  forty-five 
years  ago,  you  who  were  present  at  that  time  will 
remember  that  about  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the 
Second  Army  Corps,  supported  on  the  left  by  the  Ninth, 
made  an  assault  upon  the  works  held  then  by  Hill's 
corps  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia.  You  will 
remember,  my  comrades,  how  stubbornly  the  battle 
raged  from  five  until  ten  o'clock.  You  will  remember 
we  lost  one  of  our  color-bearers,  and  there  is  a  comrade 
with  us  here  who  the  next  day  took  those  colors  and 
carried  them  to  the  end  of  the  war.  It  was  on  the  i6th 
that  one  of  these  brothers  gave  up  his  life  on  the  bat 
tlefield  for  his  country.  Asa,  a  good  soldier,  spoken 
well  of  by  all  his  comrades  and  officers,  was  the  one 
to  answer  to  the  call  of  duty,  following  almost  eight 
months  after  his  brother  John,  who  had  died  in  the 
Military  Hospital  at  Fort  Albany,  Virginia,  October 
13,  1863. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  15 

"One  might  think  that  the  sacrifice  of  two  of  the 
brothers  was  enough.  But  fate  had  in  store  a  different 
history  to  send  down  the  ages,  for  in  the  battle  of  the 
Wilderness,  at  the  Harris  Farm,  on  the  preceding  igth 
of  May,  1864,  Samuel  was  captured  and  confined  at 
Andersonville,  Georgia.  Comrades,  you  know  what  that 
meant  in  1864.  We  can  believe  that  the  two  brothers 
who  had  already  passed  over  to  the  glorified  encamp 
ment  above,  had  received  from  the  Great  Commander 
the  gracious  welcome  of  *  Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servants.'  But  how  about  the  other  brother,  at  Ander 
sonville  ?  There's  a  comrade  present,  a  fellow  pris 
oner  who  was  with  him  through  all  the  months  and 
weeks  of  his  terrible  sickness,  suffering,  and  longing 
for  home,  who  will  tell  you  that  he  was  '  faithful  unto 
death/ 

4 'The  sacrifice  now  was  complete;  three  of  the  brothers 
had  gone,  one  remained.  He,  a  mere  youth,  could  not 
allow  himself  to  remain  at  home,  but  in  the  last  year  of 
the  war,  really  too  young  to  enlist,  he  joined  that  fa 
mous  old  Sixth  Regiment  which  marched  out  at  the  very 
beginning,  and  in  the  streets  of  Baltimore  shed  the  first 
blood  for  the  Union.  He  was  spared  to  come  home,  and 
it  is  well  that  we  should  assemble  here  to-day  and  with 
him  assist  in  the  dedication  of  this  memorial. 

"  How  well  his  brothers  filled  the  full  measure  of  a 
soldier's  duty,  this  silent  memorial  and  these  tablets 
in  short  words  proclaim.  They  have  indeed  blessed  this 


16  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

country,  for  in  the  soil  of  Massachusetts  one  lies  buried ; 
in  an  unknown  grave,  in  Virginia,  he  who  fell  at  Peters 
burg  sleeps  his  last  sleep;  and  amidst  the  mourning 
pines  at  Andersonville  in  Georgia  another  awaits  the 
call  of  the  angel  trumpeter.  Their  blood  indeed  has 
enriched  the  soil  of  our  common  country.  From  Massa 
chusetts  on  the  north  to  Georgia  on  the  south  they  have 
enriched  it,  so  that  coming  generations  will  say  that 
not  Massachusetts  and  Georgia  alone,  but  the  soil  of 
the  whole  Nation  has  been  made  sacred  by  the  death  of 
these  three  boys.  'Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this, 
that  a  man  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friend.'  What  can 
we  add  to  these  words  of  Holy  Writ  ?  It  was  not  their 
lot  to  be  famous  in  civil  life,  but  in  the  common  walks, 
in  which  we  of  the  old  army  had  a  part,  they  were  doing 
their  duty  when  the  call  came.  They  obeyed,  and,  when 
put  to  the  test,  they  made  that  sacrifice,  the  greatest  that 
can  be  made,  their  lives  for  their  fellow  men,  their  lives 
for  this  country  we  all  love,  their  lives  for  that  flag  which 
came  home  washed  of  its  one  stain  and  purified  not 
only  in  their  blood,  but  in  the  blood  of  thousands  of 
our  comrades,  who  on  battlefields,  the  decks  of  our  men- 
of-war,  and  in  prison  pens  freely  died  that  the  Nation 
might  live. 

"In  coming  memorial  days,  when  children  of  the  ris 
ing  generation  repair  to  the  different  cemeteries  through 
out  our  land,  and  with  slow  and  measured  tread,  the 
few  veterans  that  remain  accompany  them  and  place 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  17 

wreaths  upon  the  graves  of  their  departed  comrades,  no 
more  interesting  place  than  this  can  be  found  through 
out  the  country  to  teach  these  children  the  lesson  of  the 
sacrifices  that  were  made  in  their  behalf  and  in  behalf 
of  this  Nation,  not  only  now,  but  so  long  as  God  shall 
permit  it  to  exist.  May  that  lesson  be  taken  to  heart ! 
May  they,  as  they  look  upon  this  <  Mourning  Victory,' 
which  here  guards  so  solemnly  these  three  tablets,  re 
member  what  it  cost  to  preserve  our  Country's  flag  and 
to  give  this  Nation  its  present  position  in  the  world. 
For,  my  Comrades,  as  we  go  out  one  by  one  we  feel  as 
if  we  had  done  something  towards  the  uplift  of  human 
ity  and  the  further  advancement  of  our  country,  which 
God  has  so  greatly  blessed. 

'<  I  feel,  Comrades,  that  no  words  of  mine  can  add  to 
those  which  are  on  this  memorial.  We  are  glad  to  be 
here  in  such  large  numbers  to-day,  —  I  think  the  larg 
est  assembly  of  the  old  regiment  we  have  had  for 
many  a  year.  We  are  glad  of  this  beautiful  sunshine, 
reminding  us  of  this  day  forty-five  years  ago.  But  above 
all,  Comrades,  I  know  what  is  in  your  minds.  To  have 
fought  for  a  country  like  ours  was  a  great  privilege,  but 
to  be  permitted  to  live  forty-odd  years  to  enjoy  some 
of  the  fruits  of  that  victory  is  a  privilege  for  which  we 
thank  our  Heavenly  Father.  It  was  not  their  privilege 
to  see  in  the  flesh  what  their  sacrifice  had  wrought,  but 
we  believe  that  to-day  in  spirit  our  three  comrades  are 
with  us.  The  call  of  the  bugle  not  only  brought  nearly 


i8  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

a  hundred  men  of  the  old  regiment  together,  but,  Com 
rades,  I  see  again,  as  I  look  up  and  down  the  line,  the 
woods  in  front  of  Petersburg  into  which  we  charged 
that  afternoon,  and  I  can  see  the  old  regiment,  every 
man,  assembled.  You  who  were  there  remember  we  went 
into  a  hollow,  something  like  this  in  front  of  us,  before 
we  came  upon  the  enemy  amongst  the  log -houses. 
That  was  forty-five  years  ago  to-day,  and  from  that 
day  to  this  we  have  been  reaping  the  benefits  which 
came  from  the  sacrifices  made,  not  only  then,  but  from 
1861  to  1865,  by  our  comrades  from  Maine  to  Cali 
fornia  and  from  the  Lakes  to  the  Gulf.  And  so  to-day 
we  go  from  this  place  rejoicing  to  think  that  we  could 
be  here  to  assist  this  brother  in  this  act  which  is  a  credit 
to  his  mind  and  heart.  We  honor  him  for  the  erection 
of  the  Memorial,  not  only  to  his  own  brothers,  but  also 
to  our  dead  comrades  of  the  war. 

"  Before  we  close  these  ceremonies  we  are  to  crown 
these  tablets  with  laurel  wreaths,  symbols  of  victory. 
From  their  own  Company  K  there  remain,  and  are 
here  to-day,  comrades  who  knew  each  one  of  these 
brothers  well,  and  it  certainly  is  most  fitting  that  they 
should  do  this  part  in  the  dedication  of  the  Memo 
rial. 

"  And  now,  my  Comrades,  as  we  go  from  this  place  let 
us  take  with  us  a  determination  to  live  during  the  re 
maining  years  of  our  lives  for  our  Country  as  they  fought 
and  died  for  it,  let  us  be  as  faithful  now  and  in  the  future 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  19 

as  we  have  been  in  the  past,  so  that  when  the  Great 
Commander  shall  call  us  to  the  final  roll-call  we  shall 
all  be  able  to  answer  <Here'  until  the  last  man  shall 
have  reported,  and  the  old  regiment,  with  its  old  lead 
ers,  one  of  whom  we  wish  might  have  lived  to  be  with 
us  here  to-day,  —  our  dear  old  Colonel  Shatswell,  — 
will  reassemble  in  the  glorified  ranks  of  the  Army  of  the 
Redeemed  in  the  Great  Encampment  above." 

Decoration  of  the  tablets  followed,  accompanied,  in 
every  instance,  by  the  sounding  of  "Taps"  and  the 
drooping  of  the  Colors  above  the  tablet,  each  decorator 
being  a  personal  friend  of  the  dead,  as  well  as  a  member 
of  Company  K :  - 

COMRADE  SYLVESTER  C.  FROST,  Arlington:  —  My 
comrades,  in  your  name  I  deposit  this  wreath  as  a  token 
of  love  and  respect  to  the  memory  of  our  brave  comrade, 
Asa  H.  Melvin,  of  Company  K. 

COMRADE  WILLIAM  H.  MERROW,  Lawrence :  — Com 
rades,  to  me  has  been  assigned  the  honor  of  placing 
this  wreath  to  the  memory  of  John  H.  Melvin,  one  of 
the  original  members  of  Company  K  of  our  regiment, 
and  an  intimate  comrade  of  mine. 

COMRADE  Lucius  A.  WILDER,  Goshen,  Indiana :  - 
Comrades,  as  the  sole  survivor  of  six  members  of  Com 
pany  K  who  were  taken  prisoners  on  the  igth  of  May 
at  Harris  Farm,  I  place  this  wreath  in  memory  of  our 
comrade,  Samuel  Melvin.  He  died  in  Andersonville 
Prison. 


20  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

The  singing  of  "America  "  by  the  Glee  Club,  accom 
panied  by  the  Assembly,  led  up  to  Comrade  Bradley's 
saying:- 

"As  a  fitting  conclusion  to  these  exercises,  I  have 
been  asked  to  sound  <  Taps '  for  each  one  of  the  Melvin 
boys ;  but,  Comrades,  'Taps '  does  not  seem  as  appropri 
ate  now  as  it  did  years  ago.  We  have  gone  out  so  rap 
idly  that  the  past  seems  far  behind  us,  and  the  future 
appears  to  be  closing  in.  So  many  of  our  comrades  are 
over  on  the  other  shore,  it  seems  that  the  night  must  be 
nearly  ended  and  the  morning  dawning,  and  we  listen 
intently  for  that  first  call  of  day  which,  Comrades, 
we  shall  hear,  ere  long,  in  Eternity's  camping-ground, 
where  we  shall  respond  to  Reveille  in  the  morning." 

The  Reveille  as  sounded  by  Comrade  Bradley,  the 
boy  bugler  of  the  regiment,  ended  the  exercises  at  the 
Memorial. 

The  detail  from  Company  I  and  the  Old  Concord 
Post  escorted  the  First  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery 
veterans  to  the  Colonial  Inn,  where  the  three  organiza 
tions  were  photographed.  Photographs  of  the  veterans 
had  previously  been  taken  at  the  Memorial,  and  of  the 
veterans  and  Post  at  the  armory  on  Walden  Street. 
At  one  o'clock  the  three  organizations  were  the  guests 
of  Comrade  Melvin  at  dinner,  the  Regiment  at  the 
Colonial  Inn,  and  the  Post  and  Company  at  the  lower 
town  hall,  the  separation  being  necessary  in  order  to 
secure  adequate  accommodations. 


THE    DINNER 

AT  the  Colonial  Inn  the  Divine  blessing  was  invoked 
before  dinner  by  Comrade  George  H.  Lewis  (Co.  F.), 
Melrose,  in  the  following  words :  - 

Our  Heavenly  Father,  we  thank  Thee  that  so  many 
of  us  have  been  permitted  to  come  together  to-day  on 
this  solemn  occasion.  O  Lord,  we  thank  Thee  for  the 
services  which  were  held  in  commemoration  of  our 
comrades.  Though  we  cannot  hear  their  voices,  though 
we  cannot  look  them  in  the  eye,  though  we  cannot 
grasp  them  by  the  hand,  we  remember  them  in  our 
hearts.  We  thank  Thee  for  this  beautiful  day,  which 
is  typical  of  that  great  day  for  which  all  days  were  made. 
We  pray  that  Thou  wilt  bless  us  as  comrades,  and  may 
the  fraternal  feeling  and  love  in  our  hearts  never  cease ; 
we  know  that  it  will  not  cease  in  time,  and  we  trust  that 
it  will  be  perpetuated  in  eternity.  Help  us,  as  we  par 
take  of  this  bounty  of  Thy  love,  that  we  may  remember 
that  Thou  art  the  giver.  May  we  be  as  thoughtful  and 
grateful  to  Thee  as  we  are  dependent  upon  Thee,  and 
may  we  all  meet  in  that  Grand  Army,  that  grand  en 
campment,  where  the  jewels  of  the  Lord  shall  be  gath 
ered  together.  In  Christ's  name  we  ask  it.  Amen. 


22  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 


1861 

DINNER 

GIVEN    BY 

JAMES  C.   MELVIN 

TO    THE 

SURVIVING  VETERANS 

OF    THE 

FIRST   MASSACHUSETTS   HEAVY  ARTILLERY 

THE  COLONIAL  INN 
Concord,  Massachusetts 
June  1 6th,  1909. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  23 


MENU 

Iced  Olives  Radishes  Sweet  Pickles 

Consomme  Spaghetti 
Penobscot  Salmon  Hollandaise 

Green  Peas 
Roast  Stuffed  Chicken 

Roast  Beef 

Mashed  Potatoes  Boiled  Onions  Concord  Asparagus 

Lettuce,  Tomato  and  Cucumber  Salad 

French  Dressing 
Vanilla  Ice  Cream  Frozen  Pudding 

Strawberries  and  Cream 

Assorted  Cake  Macaroons 

Roquefort  and  Cream  Cheese 

Crackers 

Nuts  Raisins 

Coffee  Tea 


POST-PRANDIAL 

AFTER  dinner,  members  of  the  Post  joined  their  com 
rades  of  the  Regiment  in  the  dining-hall  of  the  Colonial 
Inn,  to  listen  to  speeches  by  the  veterans.  Comrade 
Bradley  presided  at  the  exercises,  and  began  the  speech- 
making,  saying :  — 

Comrades,  give  your  attention  to  our  host  of  the 
occasion,  Comrade  James  C.  Melvin.  [Three  cheers  for 
Mr.  Melvin,  given  spontaneously.]  Before  he  speaks, 
however,  just  a  word  or  two.  The  companies  have 
sent  in  the  lists  of  their  members  present  here  to-day. 
I  presume  the  list  is  not  entirely  correct.  Company  A 
reports  two  men,  Company  B,  twelve,  Company  C, 
six,  Company  D,  eleven,  Company  E,  two,  Company 
F,  eight,  Company  G,  six,  Company  H,  seven,  Com 
pany  I,  six,  Company  K,  eleven,  Company  L,  nine, 
Company  M,  eight,  or  an  aggregate  of  eighty-eight. 
This  is  the  largest  number  we  shall  ever  have  together 
on  this  earth.  There  is  something  remarkable  about 
this  attendance,  in  that  the  companies  that  lost  the 
largest  number  in  killed  and  wounded  during  the  serv 
ice  are  most  largely  represented  here,  Companies  B 
and  K.  This  is  a  rather  remarkable  fact. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  25 

We  are  here  as  guests  of  our  Comrade  Melvin,  and 
he  has  given  us  a  glorious  day.  We  have  had  a  joyful 
meeting,  and  yet  one  that  is  tinged  with  sadness,  for  we 
cannot  help  at  this  time  mingling  these  two  emotions. 
I  learn  from  our  Comrade  Melvin  that,  in  erecting  this 
Memorial  to  his  three  brothers,  he  raised  it  not  only 
in  honor  of  them,  but  also  as  a  memorial  and  a  tribute 
to  the  First  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery.  So  at  last, 
through  Comrade  Melvin,  we  possess  a  beautiful  monu 
ment  in  the  town  of  Concord,  already  noted  for  historical 
mementoes,  covering  not  only  the  last  one  hundred  and 
forty  years  of  this  country,  but  all  the  time  from  the  very 
first  settlement,  from  provincial  days  to  the  present. 
And  I  wish  to  say  further,  Comrades,  knowing  that  you 
feel  just  as  I  do,  that  we  are  under  great  obligations  to 
our  Comrade  for  this  magnificent  Memorial  and  for 
this  beautiful  ceremony  of  dedication  which  he  has  ar 
ranged  for  us  to-day.  All  honor  to  the  three  boys  who 
went  out  from  the  family  and  died  in  defence  of  the  flag, 
and  all  honor  to  him  who  still  remains  to  uphold  what 
they  helped  establish  with  their  very  lives. 

I  shall  not  take  more  of  your  time,  because  I  have 
other  duties  to  attend  to  in  the  way  of  arrangements  this 
afternoon,  and  it  needs  very  few  words  from  me  to  in 
troduce  the  youngest  member  of  the  family,  Comrade 
James  C.  Melvin,  our  host  of  the  day.  Now,  boys,  I 
wish  you  to  rise  and  give  three  cheers  for  Comrade  Mel 
vin.  [The  cheers  were  given  vigorously.] 


26  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

COMRADE  JAMES  C.  MELVIN 

Comrades:  My  duty  here  to-day  is  very  simple.  It 
is  to  thank  each  and  all  of  you  for  coming  from  your 
homes  to  dedicate  a  memorial  to  three  of  your  comrades 
who  suffered  with  you  in  camp,  on  the  march,  and  on 
the  battlefield,  and  who  at  last  laid  their  lives  on  the 
altar  of  their  country. 

I  am  deeply  touched  that  so  many  of  you  are  here. 
One r  comes  a  thousand  miles  to  pay  a  last  tribute  of 
love  and  affection  to  his  friend  and  comrade,  with  whom 
he  suffered  at  Andersonville.  The  face  of  this  comrade 
was  probably  the  last  friendly  one  my  brother  ever 
saw,  for  at  that  time  the  mists  of  death  were  gathering, 
and  ten  days  later  he  died.  I  also  desire  to  express  my 
gratitude  to  the  Sleepy  Hollow  Cemetery  Committee, 
-  for  every  member  of  that  Committee  has  done  all  in 
his  power  to  cooperate  with  the  sculptor  and  myself 
in  every  way,  —  and  to  the  members  of  the  Old  Con 
cord  Post,  some  of  whom  were  boyhood  friends  of  my 
brothers,  for  their  kindness  and  courtesy  in  acting  as 
escort  to  their  visiting  brethren.  Also  I  wish  to  thank 
the  Concord  Artillery  for  detailing  a  guard  for  this 
occasion.  This  old  Concord  Company  is  the  one  in 
which  my  brother  Asa  served  when  it  went  to  the 
front  early  in  1861,  and  in  which  I  later  became  a 
private  and  an  officer. 

1  Lucius  A.  Wilder  of  Goshen,  Indiana. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  27 

It  will  be  but  a  few  years  when  there  will  be  no  old 
soldiers  of  the  Civil  War  left,  and  as  the  evening  shad 
ows  lengthen,  each  of  you  will  have  the  consoling  re 
flection  that  when  your  country  was  in  peril  you  went  to 
the  rescue.  But  for  you  and  your  comrades,  we  should 
have  no  united  country  to-day. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  I  was  a  poor  lad  of  seventeen, 
with  no  assets  except  what  nature  had  given  me.  At 
that  time  I  made  a  vow  that  I  would  some  time  erect 
a  fitting  memorial  to  my  three  brothers.  For  more  than 
forty  years  this  has  been  in  my  mind,  and  it  is  nearly 
thirty  years  since  Mr.  French,  one  of  the  friends  of  my 
youth,  was  consulted.  Five  years  ago  he  accepted  my 
commission;  the  result  is  the  beautiful  and  inspiring 
monument  which  you  to-day  have  dedicated.  I  am 
certain  you  will  all  agree  with  me  that  the  youthful 
hand  which  fashioned  the  Minute  Man  and  in  maturer 
years  created  the  Milmore  Memorial  has  lost  nothing 
of  its  cunning.  May  it  forever  stand,  a  memorial  to 
these  three  brave  soldiers,  and,  what  is  of  vastly  greater 
importance,  an  inspiration  to  future  generations  to 
follow  the  path  of  duty  though  it  may  lead,  as  it  did 
with  these  brothers,  to  that  greatest  sacrifice  that  can 
be  made  by  man. 

In  the  spring  of  186 1  the  three  brothers  were  living, 
two  of  them  in  Lawrence  and  one  of  them  on  a  farm  in 
Concord.  Their  ancestors  and  family  had  taken  prom 
inent  parts  in  the  Indian  and  Colonial  wars  as  well 


28  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

as  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution.  On  the  paternal  side 
one  ancestor z  commanded  a  company  at  Louisburg  and 
another2  took  an  active  part  at  Brookfield  in  King 
Philip's  War.  One  of  the  family3  commanded  a  com 
pany  at  Crown  Point,  and  one 4  was  the  sentinel  at  the 
court-house  in  this  town  on  the  igth  of  April,  1775, 
and  rang  the  bell  that  roused  the  country.  On  the 
maternal  side  four  of  their  ancestors5  were  officers. 

With  such  antecedents  it  was  only  natural  that  Asa, 
as  true  a  Minute  Man  as  the  court-house  sentinel  in 
1775,  hearing  on  the  iQth  of  April,  a  day  when  the 
blood  of  every  true  son  of  Concord  thrills  with  patriot 
ism,  the  eighty-sixth  anniversary  of  the  day  when  the 
"  embattled  farmers"  fired  the  first  gun  for  American 
independence,  that  the  Concord  company  had  been 
called  out  by  Governor  Andrew  and  was  to  leave  that 
day  for  the  war,  should,  although  not  a  member  of  the 
company,  drop  his  work  in  the  field,  walk  to  the  centre 
of  the  town,  join  the  company,  and  leave  with  it  for  the 
front  in  less  than  three  hours  after  hearing  the  call.  He 
was  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  at  the  expiration 

1  Captain  David  Melvin  1690-1745 

2  Lieutenant  Simon  Davis  1636-1713 

3  Captain  Eleazer  Melvin  1703-1754 

4  Private  Amos  Melvin  1731-1806 

5  Sergeant  John  Heald  ad  1689 
Lieutenant  John  Heald  3d  1666-1721 
Lieutenant  John  Heald  5th  1721-1810 
Lieutenant  John  Heald  6th  1746-1816 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  29 

of  his  term  of  service  returned  to  Concord  and  soon 
reenlisted  Jn  the  First  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery 
for  three  years,  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  term  of 
service  reenlisted  again  in  the  same  regiment.  He  was 
killed  in  a  charge  on  the  enemy's  lines  at  Petersburg 
June  16,  1864,  aged  twenty-nine.  That  charge  was 
sounded  forty-five  years  ago  this  afternoon  by  the  same 
man,  on  the  same  bugle,  that  you  have  heard  to-day. 
Asa's  body  lies  in  an  unknown  grave. 

John  was  working  in  Lawrence  at  the  time.  He  en 
listed  early  in  1861  in  the  First  Massachusetts  Heavy 
Artillery.  The  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  July  5,  1861,  and  soon  left  for  Wash 
ington.  He  died  at  Fort  Albany,  Virginia,  October  13, 

1863,  aged  twenty-two  years.    His  body  was  sent  home 
by  his  comrades,  and  rests  in  our  beautiful  Sleepy 
Hollow. 

Samuel  enlisted  at  the  same  time  as  his  brother 
John,  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  Harris's  Farm  May  19, 

1864,  while  taking  his  comrade  E.  K.  Boardman  to 
the  rear.    He  reached  Andersonville  June  3,  and  per 
ished  there  September  25,   1864,  aged  twenty  years, 
five  months.    I  have  here  the  diary1  which  he   kept 
while   he  was   in  Andersonville,   in  which  he  wrote 
almost  daily  up  to  within  ten  days  of  his  death.    In  it 
he  says  that  he  could  not  ask  to  be  better  treated  than 
he  was  by  the  Confederate  soldiers  while  on  his  way 

1  See  page  77. 


30  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

to  Andersonville.  There  everything  was  changed  and 
cruelties  unspeakable  were  suffered.  In  this  diary  he 
records  his  hopes  and  his  disappointments,  one  day 
buoyed  up  by  rumors  of  an  exchange,  only  to  be  cast 
into  the  depths  of  despair  by  their  not  proving  true ; 
the  death,  one  after  another,  of  his  comrades,  taking 
down  the  tender  messages  of  love  sent  by  them  to  their 
kindred  at  home.  He  tells  of  his  own  and  his  com 
rades'  sickness  and  sufferings,  some  days  of  getting  no 
rations  and  on  others  only  a  few  spoonfuls  of  uncooked, 
unsalted  rice  or  cornmeal.  The  continual  cry  is  for 
food  and  for  home. 

For  the  boys  who  wore  the  gray  I  have  no  ill  feeling. 
I  have  spent  the  last  five  winters  in  the  South,  and  have 
met  many  of  them,  and  it  has  been  a  pleasure  to  me  to 
help  some  of  them  who  were  needy. 

For  Andersonville  there  can  be  no  excuse.  The  bar 
barity  and  cruelty  there  will  forever  remain  a  blot  upon 
American  civilization. 

The  Daughters  of  the  Confederacy  may  erect  a  mon 
ument  to  Wirz  as  high  as  the  virgin  pines  which  sur 
rounded  the  stockade,  but  the  little  white  stones  on 
the  slope  at  Andersonville,  which  mark  the  graves  of 
the  fifteen  thousand  heroes  who  perished  there,  will  for 
ever  tell  the  true  story.  [Applause,  and  three  cheers 
for  Comrade  Melvin.] 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  31 

COMRADE  BRADLEY 

Our  Association,  as  you  know,  is  presided  over  this 
year  by  Comrade  Sidney  Poore.  His  voice  is  a  little  out 
of  tune  to-day,  but  we  cannot  let  our  President  off  with 
out  at  least  a  word.  We  would  like  to  hear  from  the 
President  of  the  Association,  Comrade  Poore,  of  Com 
pany  B. 

PRESIDENT  SIDNEY  POORE 

Mr.  Toastmaster  and  Comrades :  At  the  best,  I  am 
a  very  indifferent  speaker,  and  for  the  last  few  days  I 
have  had  a  very  bad  voice,  and  I  am  troubled  with  rheu 
matism,  too,  so  that  I  am  under  the  weather,  figuratively 
speaking  anyway ;  but  I  am  very  much  pleased  to  meet 
so  many  of  you  here  to-day.  I  never  thought  that  I 
should  ever  see  so  many  of  the  First  Heavies  together 
again.  I  have  been  used,  ever  since  I  came  out  of  the 
army,  to  go  to  the  different  reunions  that  we  have 
had,  and  I  have  seen  some  pretty  large  parties  assem 
bled,  but  I  must  thank  Comrade  Melvin  for  making  our 
getting  together  to-day  possible.  I  hardly  think  we  ever 
should  have  met  in  such  numbers  if  it  had  not  been  for 
his  kind  invitation.  I  think  I  could  come  down  every 
week  and  enjoy  this.  I  am  sure  I  voice  the  sentiments 
of  all  of  you,  Comrades,  when  I  thank  him  very  kindly 
and  heartily  for  making  this  day  possible. 


32  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

COMRADE  BRADLEY 

We  have  here  a  comrade  who  has  come  from  the  state 
of  Indiana  to  be  present  to-day  to  pay  his  personal  re 
spects  to  one  who  was  very  near  and  dear  to  him,  one 
of  the  brothers,  the  one  who  died  at  Andersonville.  If 
Lucius  A.  Wilder  is  in  the  room  we  want  to  have  him 
step  right  down  here  and  let  us  hear  a  word  from  our 

Indiana  Comrade  of  Company  K. 

• 

COMRADE  Lucius  A.  WILDER 

I  will  simply  say  that  I  am  interested  in  this  dedica 
tion.  I  have  come  a  thousand  miles  for  this  occasion ; 
I  can  think  of  no  other  event  that  would  have  brought 
me  here.  But  Andersonville  Prison  is  an  old  story.  It 
is  something  that  I  seldom  mention  unless  I  am  among 
those  who  can  appreciate  it  and  who  know  something 
of  prison  life. 

As  Comrade  Melvin  mentions  in  his  diary,  we  were 
treated  well  until  we  arrived  at  Andersonville  Prison. 
We  certainly  had  good  officers.  I  began  to  think  that 
they  were  not  as  bad  as  they  were  represented.  But  that 
was  the  last  that  we  ever  saw  of  what  we  called  a  good 
officer  or  a  good  rebel.  They  could  not  do  enough  to 
injure  the  prisoners  after  that ;  it  was  anything  to  get 
one  out  of  the  way.  I  do  not  believe  that  consent  would 
ever  have  been  given  to  hang  six  raiders  there,  if  this 
had  not  been  the  means  of  destroying  six  Yanks.  When 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  33 

we  arrived  at  the  prison,  fortunately  we  had  a  little 
money,  twenty-five  dollars,  George  Handy  carrying  the 
funds.  He  was  very  anxious  in  regard  to  that  money, 
for  it  was  well  known  that  every  prisoner  would  be 
searched  and  all  his  valuables  taken  from  him,  — 
money,  watches,  knives,  anything  of  value,  even  his 
coat.  As  it  happened,  the  Confederates  seemed  to  be 
much  excited  at  the  time  we  arrived  at  the  stockade.  At 
that  time  the  prison  contained  some  thirty  thousand 
men.  The  keepers  were  very  anxious  to  get  us  inside  as 
soon  as  possible,  so  that  no  one  of  the  thousand  was 
searched,  and  in  consequence  we  carried  in  considerable 
money  among  us.  As  we  entered  the  stockade,  the  old 
prisoners,  who  had  been  there  all  the  way  from  two  to 
eleven  or  twelve  months,  were  standing  in  a  line,  in  rags, 
some  of  them  almost  nude ;  some  of  them  had  not  had 
shirts  on  their  backs  for  three  months,  —  their  hides 
the  color  of  leather.  I  looked  them  over.  I  saw  several 
men  sitting  there,  nude  apparently,  living  skeletons. 
No  skeleton  in  a  dime  museum  would  ever  compare 
with  those  men.  They  were  simply  skin  and  bones.  At 
this  time  I  met  an  old  comrade,  a  schoolmate,  by  the 
name  of  Henry  Joy  of  Lawrence.  He  stepped  up  and 
shook  me  by  the  hand.  Said  I,  "  Henry,  how  long  have 
you  been  here?"  He  looked  very  serious.  "Nine 
months,"  he  said,  "  in  this  and  other  prisons."  I  made 
the  remark  that  I  did  not  think  I  would  remain  there 
long.  He  said,  "I  thought  so  when  I  entered  here,  but 


34  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

I  have  about  given  up  hope."  Two  months  later  he 
died.  The  prison  was  so  crowded  that  we  could  not  find 
a  place  that  we  could  call  headquarters.  We  were 
anxious  to  keep  together  our  little  band  of  six.  I  hap 
pened  to  see  a  piece  of  ground  with  three  or  four  willow 
poles  bent  over,  about  six  by  four.  I  made  the  remark, 
"  Here  is  a  place,  boys.  Let  us  quarter  here."  An  old 
prisoner  stepped  up.  "Just  come  in,  boys  ? "  he  asked. 
"Yes,  just  come  in.  We  are  looking  for  a  place  that  we 
can  fix  up  for  a  kind  of  headquarters."  He  said,  "I'll 
sell  you  my  place."  I  replied,  "Do  you  sell  the  land 
here?"  "Well,"  he  said,  "there  is  no  rule,  but  all  of 
my  friends  have  died  and  I  am  heir  of  the  estate  " ;  and 
he  smiled.  We  talked  it  over.  We  decided  we  would 
purchase.  His  price  was  five  dollars.  We  made  our 
little  shelter.  We  possessed  one  blanket.  That  blanket 
we  got  possession  of  from  a  rebel  officer  just  before  we 
went  into  prison ;  one  of  the  boys  having  had  a  fancy 
haversack  which  he  traded  for  it.  We  took  the  blanket 
and  ran  it  over  the  poles.  I  possessed  an  extra  shirt. 
My  friend  Ned  Holt,  of  Company  K,  had  an  extra  pair 
of  drawers.  We  made  a  shelter  enough  to  keep  the  sun 
off  of  us,  and  that  is  the  way  we  lived  for  some  two 
months.  Then  we  commenced  to  divide  up.  We  could 
not  all  get  under  the  shelter  at  night.  We  simply  lay 
spoon  fashion,  one  turn,  all  turn.  The  man  that  was  on 
the  outside  one  night  would  be  on  the  inside  the  next 
night.  That  is  the  way  we  lived. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  35 

After  some  five  weeks  I  noticed  that  the  men  com 
menced  tafail.  There  seemed  to  be  no  disease  particu 
larly,  but  a  sort  of  despondency.  A  man  would  lie  there, 
and  would  groan  and  look  up  to  the  sky,  and  think  of 
home  and  the  old  farm.  He  soon  passed  away.  An 
early  one  to  go  was  George  Handy.  The  next  to  go  was 
Asa  Rowe,  and  the  next  was  Ed.  Holt.  Ed.  Holt  died 
from  diphtheria.  We  were  cooking  together  one  day. 
I  made  the  remark  that  my  throat  was  sore.  He  said, 
"So  is  mine,"  and  added,  "You  must  have  taken  cold." 
The  next  day  he  asked,  "Wilder,  how  is  your  throat  ?" 
Said  I,  "It  is  not  any  worse.  I  think  I  am  getting  better." 
It  seems  that  he  had  diphtheria,  and  my  trouble  was 
nothing  more  than  a  cold.  The  third  day  I  walked  him 
round  the  prison  to  see  the  boys.  They  spoke  to  him. 
He  was  like  death,  and  he  could  hardly  speak.  »He  said 
he  guessed  he  would  go  back  and  lie  down.  He  went 
back  and  lay  down.  He  looked  up  and  said,  "Wilder, 
I  never  shall  live  to  see  the  sun  rise."  I  told  him  I 
thought  he  might  live  to  see  the  sun  rise  on  many  an 
occasion.  He  spoke  to  his  friend  Melvin,  who  did  not 
give  him  much  encouragement,  and  he  strangled  to 
death.  I  went  outside  of  the  tent,  and  I  shed  tears,  the 
only  tears  that  I  shed  while  I  was  inside  that  prison, 
for  it  did  not  do  for  a  man  to  get  despondent. 

Comrades,  I  could  go  on  by  the  hour  and  talk  of  An- 
dersonville,  but  I  am  simply  taking  up  time ;  therefore, 
thanking  you,  I  will  stop. 


36  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  We  would  like  to  listen  all 
the  afternoon  to  our  good  Comrade  Wilder.  This  story 
of  course  comes  back  to  us  very  sharply. 

COMRADE  WILDER:  --  You  have  heard  me;  I  would 
like  to  hear  others. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  —  Of  course  we  wish  to  hear 
from  quite  a  large  number.  It  has  been  suggested  that 
we  should  hear  from  every  comrade  present.  It  is  im 
possible  to  carry  out  that  suggestion ;  but  a  list  of  those 
who  knew  our  comrades  in  whose  honor  we  are  assem 
bled  to-day,  and  who  knew  them  well,  has  been  pre 
pared,  and  on  that  list  is  our  good  friend  Comrade 
Merrow,  of  Company  K.  Captain  Merrow ! 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  H.  MERROW,  LAWRENCE 

Well,,Mr.  President  and  Comrades,  what  I  have  to 
say  will  be  in  few  words.  I  am  no  speaker.  I  only  wish 
that  there  was  one  here  who  could  voice  the  sentiments 
of  Company  K,  and  that  one  is  Charley  Burrows,  but 
he  unavoidably  is  kept  away.  He  has  business  of  such  a 
nature  that  he  could  not  possibly  be  here. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  John  and 
Samuel  Melvin  were  employed  in  the  mills  of  Lawrence, 
like  hundreds  of  young  men  who  had  gone  to  the  new 
city,  as  it  was  then  known,  to  make  their  fortune,  and 
the  two  Melvin  boys,  in  connection  with  twelve  others, 
enlisted  in  Company  K  about  as  soon  as  it  was  organ 
ized.  Intimacy  grew  up  between  John  Melvin  and  me 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  37 

that  lasted  all  the  rest  of  his  life.  He  was  an  intimate 
comrade  -of  mine.  If  we  were  on  the  march,  it  was 
John's  elbow  that  touched  mine.  If  we  went  out  of 
camp  anywhere,  John  and  I  were  together.  If  we  took 
a  notion  to  go  to  Washington,  it  was  John  and  I  who 
went  together. 

John  was  an  exceedingly  good  soldier.  He  was  a  man 
who  kept  his  equipments  and  his  clothing  in  perfect 
shape  at  all  times.  No  sudden  call  for  any  inspection 
ever  found  John  Melvin  unprepared.  Samuel  Melvin 
was  more  of  a  sedate,  studious  nature.  He  was  an  inven 
tive  genius.  I  remember  at  one  time  his  getting  up  some 
sort  of  a  galvanic  battery ;  he  was  studying  electricity  at 
as  early  a  day  as  that.  Of  course  if  he  had  lived,  these 
times  would  have  been  opportune  for  him  to  perfect  his 
study.  But  that  was  the  different  nature  of  the  two  men. 
While  John  was  all  soldier,  Samuel  enlisted  and  was 
soldier  to  this  extent:  he  was  there  to  do  his  duty  as  he 
was  told,  but  he  did  not  enter  into  it  with  the  same  en 
thusiasm  as  did  John.  Of  Asa  Melvin  I  knew  very  little, 
because  I  left  the  Company  soon  after  his  admittance 
to  it,  but  his  death  in  the  line  of  battle,  the  i6th  of  June, 
vouched  for  his  good  conduct. 

Speaking  of  Company  K,  there  were  borne  on  its  rolls 
from  first  to  last  somewhere  about  two  hundred  and 
twelve  officers  and  men.  Of  those  two  hundred  and 
twelve,  there  were  one  hundred  and  forty-nine  that 
reached  the  firing  line,  or,  as  we  said  in  those  days,  that 


38  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

went  to  the  front.  Of  that  number  fifty-eight  were 
killed,  wounded,  or  missing,  making  a  little  more  than 
one  third  of  the  whole  number  of  men  that  were  en 
gaged.  Of  the  two  hundred  odd  men  of  that  Company 
who  followed  the  old  flag  into  the  battle  of  Spottsyl- 
vania  on  the  igth  of  May,  1864,  there  were  less  than 
twenty  that  stood  under  its  tattered  folds  at  Appomat- 
tox.  While  we  do  not  speak  of  Company  K  as  having 
performed  its  duty  better  than  any  other  company,  I 
think  the  records  will  show  that  it  did  as  well,  and  I  am 
sure  the  comrades  who  are  here  to-day  will  indorse  that. 

I  wish  to  return  my  thanks  for  the  thought  that 
brought  about  this  magnificent  reunion.  To  Comrade 
Melvin  all  honor  is  due.  I  know  it  was  last  winter  that 
he  first  conceived  the  idea  of  inviting  the  Company  to 
these  memorial  exercises.  But  he  found  that  its  surviv 
ing  members  were  scattered  and  few,  for  I  wish  to  say 
right  here  that  out  of  Company  K  there  are  at  the  pre 
sent  time  one  hundred  and  fifty  known  to  be  dead, 
forty-two  are  living,  and  the  rest,  some  twenty-one  or 
two,  are  recorded  as  missing.  As  I  said  before,  it  was 
his  idea  to  have  the  Company  only,  but  when  he  found 
that  there  were  so  few  and  they  so  scattered,  he  then 
decided  to  invite  the  remainder  of  the  old  Regiment, 
which  I  am  glad  that  he  did,  and  postponed  the  dedi 
cation  until  this  summer. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  Comrade  Poore,  the  Presi 
dent  of  the  Association,  has  an  additional  word  to  say. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  39 

COMRADE  POORE  :  —  At  some  time,  and  I  don't  know 
as  there  would  be  any  more  opportune  time  than  this, 
sir,  I  wish  to  propose  the  name  of  Comrade  Melvin  for 
honorary  membership  in  our  Association.  [The  mo 
tion  was  seconded  by  several  comrades.] 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  You  hear  that  motion.  Ev 
erything  goes  to-day,  Comrades.  The  President  makes 
the  motion  that  our  host  of  the  day,  James  C.  Melvin, 
be  made  an  honorary  member  of  the  First  Massachu 
setts  Heavy  Artillery  Association. 

A  COMRADE  :  —  By  a  rising  vote. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  Are  you  ready  for  the  ques 
tion?  All  in  favor  will  say,  "Aye." 

The  motion  was  adopted  unanimously  by  rising  vote, 
and  Comrade  James  C.  Melvin  was  made  an  honorary 
member  of  the  First  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery 
Association. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  Comrade  Melvin,  you  are 
one  of  us  now.  And,  by  the  way,  he  has  been  look 
ing  over  something  here,  and  wants  to  read  just  a 
word.  Comrade  Melvin!  Now  you  are  one  of  us. 

COMRADE  MELVIN:  —  To  show  you  the  style  of 
diary '  that  my  brother  kept,  I  will  read  the  entries  for 
two  or  three  days.  [He  then  read  the  entries  for  Sep 
tember  12,  14,  and  15,  1864.] 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  We  would  like  to  hear  from 
Comrade  Jenkins  of  Company  H,  Andover.  Give  your 

1  See  page  77. 


40  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

attention,  Comrades,  to  Comrade   Jenkins  of  Com 
pany  H. 

COMRADE  E.  K.  JENKINS,  ANDOVER 

I  wish  to  say  that  you  and  I  never  met  under  any 
such  circumstances  as  these,  from  the  beginning  to  the 
end,  and  I  predict  we  never  shall  again.  We  meet  with 
different  thoughts.  We  came  here,  it  might  be  said,  to 
bury  our  comrades.  We  have  laid  our  last  tributes  on 
their  resting  place.  Then  we  listen  to  the  brother,  and 
he  reads  how  one  of  them  died.  It  brings  back  to  us 
the  war,  with  all  its  deviltry ,  with  everything  that  should 
stamp  with  that  name  Andersonville  Prison. 

I  have  lived  long  enough  to  see  the  son  of  General 
Grant  almost  taken  from  his  feet  by  the  Southerners 
down  in  Tennessee,  while  tears  were  flowing.  The  Blue 
and  the  Gray  have  grasped  each  other  by  the  hand  and 
here  we  stand  to-day  a  better  nation  than  we  ever  were 
before.  See  what  we  have  done  by  sending  what  the 
pessimist  believed  was  to  be  an  encouragement  for  war, 
our  fleet,  all  over  the  world.  And  what  did  it  meet  ?  It 
met  open  arms  everywhere.  But  the  fiery  newspaper 
and  the  sensationalist  have  tried  to  get  us  into  a  war 
with  Japan.  Japan  is  one  of  the  best  friends  we  have, 
and  we  are  her  best  friends,  and  you  and  I  know  it. 

We  have  come  right  in  here  to-day,  and  I  think  it  is  a 
heart  to  heart  occasion.  I  would  not  have  missed  it  for 
anything.  This  young  boy,  as  he  was,  has  done  more 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  41 

than  any  one  of  us  in  the  Regiment  to  bring  us  together, 
to  hold-us  right  in  brotherly  love,  and  I  want  to  thank 
him  over  and  over  again.  And  we  are  here  to  make  a 
day  for  the  beautiful,  old  historic  town  that  we  are  in, 
where  some  of  the  best  talent  of  the  world  lies  buried. 
Those  men  made  history,  and  we  are  making  history 
to-day.  We  have  been  making  it  for  forty  years,  and  we 
look  as  though  we  might  keep  on  for  another  ten  years, 
though  the  most  of  us  will  be  pretty  old  by  that  time. 
I  shall  be  about  ninety,  but  never  mind,  I  shall  be  here. 
I  stand  up  before  you,  seventy-eight  years  old  in  a  few 
days,  but  when  a  man  has  courage  he  can  do  much. 

I  have  one  brother.  He  went  into  the  war  when  I 
came  out,  and  he,  too,  came  out,  with  one  leg  taken  off 
at  the  knee,  the  other,  at  the  foot.  He  has  the  most 
cheery  nature  that  I  know.  He  will  make  you  roar  with 
laughter  at  the  stories  he  tells.  It  is  courage ;  he  never 
says  die.  And  that  is  why  so  many  of  us,  I  think,  stand 
here  to-day.  We  have  not  abused  ourselves.  We  have 
tried  to  live  temperate,  industrious,  and  moral  lives. 

As  the  speaker  said  the  other  day  to  the  Abbott  Acad 
emy  girls,  "You  want  to  sow  morally  and  reap  spirit 
ually.  Some  men,  you  know,  sow  money."  Our  friend 
here  sowed  money.  Did  n't  he  sow  it  for  a  good  pur 
pose  ?  He  sowed  money.  He  had  but  a  dollar  or  two, 
he  says.  Think  what  he  has  reaped  from  those  dollars, 
and  think  what  he  has  put  out  here.  It  will  never  be 
forgotten  by  this  regiment  nor  by  this  town.  He  sowed 


42  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

wisely.  He  has  made  money  where  many  others  did 
not;  but  what  a  good  use  he  has  put  that  money  to.  It 
has  cheered  you  and  has  set  an  example  to  you  and 
to  me. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  —  I  wish  now  to  Introduce  to 
you  another  Comrade,  a  former  President  of  the  Associ 
ation,  whom  all  will  be  very  glad  to  hear,  and  he  is 
Comrade  Farnham  of  Peabody,  Company  D. 

COMRADE  FRANK  E.  FARNHAM 

Mr.  Toastmaster:  I  address  you  and  our  generous 
host  and  all  these  dear  old  comrades,  and  say  that  I  am 
glad  to  add  a  word  to  a  spirit  which  is  getting  scarce 
through  the  country,  but  which  prevails  here  to-day, 
the  old  spirit  of  '61.  In  doing  so,  without  any  malice 
and  without  sounding  any  discordant  note,  I  cannot  fall 
in  with  the  prevailing  sentiment  over  the  country,  it 
seems  to  me,  of  the  press,  of  the  pulpit,  the  lecture  room, 
the  politician,  the  statesman,  and  even  of  some  organ 
izations,  to  obliterate  all  the  difference  between  the  right 
and  the  wrong  of  that  conflict,  and  to  assert  that  there 
were  as  much  virtue  and  principle  in  that  war  on  the 
other  side  as  upon  the  side  in  which  the  brothers  of 
our  host  to-day  died.  I  cannot  subscribe  to  that  opin 
ion.  Apparently  their  minds  have  not  changed.  We 
must  make  all  the  concessions,  and  it  will  end,  unless 
checked,  —  and  I  hope  history  will  check  it,  —  in  put 
ting  their  cause  on  a  higher  plane  than  ours.  I  never 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  43 

can  subscribe  to  that,  for  theirs  was  the  cause  of  slavery 
and  nothing  else. 

I  know  it  has  become  the  fashion  now  to  say  that  that 
was  not  the  issue,  although  Alexander  Stephens,  per 
haps  the  noblest  rebel  of  them  all,  said  it  was,  that 
slavery  was  the  corner-stone  of  the  Confederacy.  I 
know  it  is  the  fashion  now  to  say  secession  was  the  real 
issue.  There  have  been  plenty  of  wind  and  water  wasted 
on  that,  have  been  in  the  past,  and  will  be  in  the  future ; 
but  there  would  never  have  been  a  drop  of  blood  shed 
in  settling  that.  And  by  the  way,  it  is  a  question  that 
never  will  be  settled,  because  our  forefathers  attempted 
the  mathematical  impossibility  of  making  a  part  equal 
the  whole,  of  giving  to  the  states  the  same  rights  as 
those  of  the  whole  nation  in  some  matters,  and  that  will 
never  settle  the  question  of  right  to  secede.  The  Su 
preme  Court  has  vacillated  all  round  about  it,  and  it  is 
not  settled  yet.  We  are  a  failure,  if  that  is  all  we  tried 
for. 

I,  for  one,  think  that  this  deluge  of  perverted  senti 
ment,  for  so  it  looks  to  me,  which  crops  out  everywhere, 
can  at  least  be  delayed  until  we  have  followed  these 
three  departed  comrades  of  ours.  We  must  not  give 
way  to  this.  We  cannot  do  it  without  stultifying  our 
selves  and  without  decreasing  the  honor  and  insulting 
the  memory  of  these  comrades  whom  we  honor  to-day, 
and  of  all  the  others,  for  ours  was  the  cause  of  liberty, 
and  liberty  not  alone,  as  has  been  said,  to  the  black  man 


44  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

in  this  country,  but  to  all  men,  to  all  races,  for  all  time, 
and  the  proof  of  it  would  have  been,  Comrades,  if  it  had 
gone  the  other  way.  Where,  then,  would  Liberty  have 
found  a  resting  place  on  this  footstool  for  her  feet  ?  The 
progress  of  the  world  would  have  been  set  back  for  cen 
turies.  Let  us  live  and  die  in  the  delusion,  if  it  be  one, 
that  there  never  was  a  cause  more  justifiable  than  the 
one  that  called  us  to  arms. 

How  little  war  has  accomplished  as  a  rule,  and  how 
little  excuse  for  it  there  is!  Indeed,  it  does  not  settle 
anything.  It  is  very  rarely  war  settles  what  it  starts  out 
for.  Why,  even  our  Revolution,  which  we  talk  so  much 
about,  was  undertaken  mostly  to  settle  the  question  of 
taxing  colonies  without  their  consent.  I  think  there  are 
many  colonies  taxed  to-day  without  their  consent.  The 
War  of  18 12  started  with  the  slogan  of  no  impressment 
of  American  seamen,  and  when  they  made  the  peace  of 
Ghent  there  was  not  a  word  said  about  it,  and  there  has 
not  been  one  said  since.  The  war  with  Mexico,  and  I 
should  include  that  with  Spain  if  there  were  not  some 
Spanish- War  fellows  here,  perhaps,  it  seems  to  me  had 
no  great  principle  behind  it,  and  has  no  great  place  in 
history.  All  honor  to  those  who  do  their  duty.  But  our 
war  was  a  war  of  self-defense,  and  self-defense  is  per 
mitted  to  the  nation  as  it  is  to  the  individual,  and  it  is 
the  only  case  in  which  blood  can  be  shed  justly.  Speed 
the  time,  all  men  who  have  seen  real  fighting  will  say, 
when  all  these  questions  will  be  settled  without  the  shed- 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  45 

ding  of  blood,  which  really  does  not  settle  any  question. 
When  t,vo  men  who  have  a  joint  interest,  we  will  say, 
fall  out  and  fight,  and  one  whips  the  other,  the  other 
man  is  not  convinced;  he  is  mad,  and  it  takes  a  court 
of  law  to  settle  it.  It  will  take  international  courts  in 
the  future  to  settle  questions  which  have  to  do  with 
war.  But  let  us  be  true  to  the  conviction,  and  to  the  de 
lusion,  as  I  said,  if  it  be  one,  that  we  fought  for  one  of 
the  most  righteous  causes  that  was  ever  struggled  for, 
and  be  proud,  as  we  have  been,  to  our  dying  day  that 
we  played  at  least  a  humble  part  in  one  of  the  most 
glorious  war  dramas  that  was  ever  acted  in  this  world's 
history. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  —  I  wish  to  make  a  little  di 
gression  here.  Some  of  the  comrades  have  felt  that  they 
have  had  hard  luck  in  life,  that  they  did  not  have  a 
chance,  and  they  are  perhaps  inclined  to  envy  those  who 
in  a  literary  way  or  in  a  business  way  or  in  any  line  have 
succeeded  better.  There  is  a  great  deal  of  luck  in  this 
world,  but  if  we  all  had  the  sand  and  the  endurance 
which  were  spoken  of  here  as  having  been  shown  by  the 
prisoners  of  war  at  Andersonville  and  at  Libby,  we 
would  accomplish  a  great  deal  more  in  this  battle  of 
life.  You  know  you  saw  in  the  army  that  the  man  who 
said  he  would  not  die  generally  lived.  Of  course  there 
were  exceptions  in  cases  of  severe  sickness,  but,  I  tell 
you,  determination  went  a  great  way. 

I  happened  to  run  across  a  comrade  this  afternoon, 


46  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

Hiram  W.  Jones,  who  sits  here  before  me,  and  he  was 
the  man  before  the  war  that  hired  James  C.  Melvin, 
our  host  of  the  afternoon,  to  work  for  him  at  twenty- 
five  cents  a  day.  ("Well,  —  he  was  a  good  boy  to  work," 
said  Jones.)  That  is  the  way  that  Comrade  Melvin 
started  with  his  chance  in  life.  Some  of  you  may  have 
worked  for  twenty-three  and  a  half  cents,  but  Comrade 
Melvin  worked  for  Comrade  Jones  here  at  twenty-five 
cents  a  day,  and  I  have  no  doubt  you  paid  him  in  good 
money,  Comrade  Jones.  I  just  wanted  to  make  that 
statement  as  it  came  to  me.  Of  all  of  our  comrades  of 
late  years  there  has  been  one  who  has  stood  out  con 
spicuously  for  his  unselfish  devotion  to  the  interests  of 
this  old  regiment  in  season  and  out  of  season.  He  took 
us  down  to  Spottsylvania  when  we  dedicated  the  monu 
ment.  And  there  is  one  thing  peculiar  about  this  regi 
ment  and  the  friends  of  the  regiment.  We  put  up  a 
monument  at  Spottyslvania.  We  did  not  ask  the  State 
of  Massachusetts  to  contribute  a  single  cent.  Hardly  a 
regiment  in  this  whole  Commonwealth,  that  has  been 
under  fire,  but  what  has  had  a  monument  on  some  bat 
tlefield  put  up  by  the  Commonwealth,  and  that  you 
might  say  of  every  State  in  the  North.  Their  regimental 
monuments  on  the  battlefield  have  been  paid  for  and 
have  been  put  up  there  by  the  Commonwealth.  I  have 
no  doubt  that  Massachusetts  would  have  done  it  for  us ; 
but  there  seems  to  be  a  comradeship  in  this  regiment 
which  has  pulled  us  together,  and  we  have  there  to-day 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  47 

a  beautiful  monument  for  the  three  hundred  and  ninety- 
eight  men  who  fell  on  the  Harris  Farm,  that  place 
where  one  of  our  comrades  was  captured  who  afterwards 
died  in  Andersonville  Prison.  The  monument  was  the 
result  of  the  efforts  of  our  good  Comrade  from  Com 
pany  L,  Colonel  John  W.  Hart  of  Salem,  —  who  has 
been  awake  twenty-four  hours  in  the  day,  looking  out 
for  the  First  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery  Associa 
tion. 

COLONEL  JOHN  W.  HART,  SALEM 

After  the  most  excellent  speeches  that  I  have  heard 
here  this  afternoon  I  am  surprised  to  think  you  should 
call  on  me,  because  you  all  know  that  I  am  no  speech- 
maker.  If  I  should  get  up  and  say  anything  at  all  I 
might  say,  "Not  Guilty." 

I  anticipated  with  the  greatest  of  pleasure  being  here 
to-day  with  you,  but  the  chances  looked  blue  for  me  a 
week  or  two  ago,  when  my  friend,  Comrade  Bradley, 
called  me  up  over  the  telephone  and  asked  me  if  I  was 
coming,  and  I  told  him  it  would  be  pretty  hard  to  get 
away  from  court.  He  said,  "I  tell  you  what  you  can  do. 
Shut  up  the  court."  And  speaking  three  or  four  days 
ago  with  the  judge  about  coming  out  here,  away  from 
court,  he  said,  "Mr.  Hart,  I  guess  you  can  try  and  get 
away."  "Well,"  I  said,  "one  of  my  comrades  in  Bos 
ton  telephoned  me  if  I  could  not  do  any  better  to  shut 
up  the  court."  He  said,  "I  don't  know  but  what  you 


48  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

can  do  it."  So  I  don't  know  that  there  is  anything 
further  I  can  say. 

Comrade  Bradley  has  given  me  considerable  credit 
in  regard  to  the  monument  down  South.  I  would  like 
to  state  how  that  first  started  in  my  mind.  I  was  down 
there  with  my  wife,  and  I  went  out  to  the  front  of 
Petersburg  and  found  that  the  First  Maine  Artillery 
had  a  monument,  a  good,  nice  monument,  one  which, 
however,  does  not  compare  with  ours,  nor  did  it  cost 
nearly  as  much  as  ours  did.  I  said  to  my  wife  when  I 
got  back  to  Salem,  "The  first  thing  I  am  going  to  do  is 
to  start  the  log  rolling  and  get  money  enough  to  build  a 
monument  in  Virginia."  She  said,  "  John,  you  can't  do 
it."  I  said,  "There  is  one  already  for  the  First  Maine 
Artillery,  and  I  am  bound  now  that  we  shall  have  one 
at  Harris  Farm."  I  started  it.  The  boys  all  fell  right  in, 
and  the  money  was  raised.  We  went  down  there  and 
dedicated  the  monument,  and  had  a  nice  time.  Those 
who  went  can  testify  that  the  accommodation  perhaps 
at  some  of  the  hotels  was  not  what  we  would  have  liked, 
nor  what  we  should  expect  up  here.  But  we  had  a  good 
time,  everything  went  off  first-rate,  and  the  monument, 
if  I  do  say  it,  is  a  credit  to  the  regiment  and  a  credit  to 
the  Commonwealth.  It  was  paid  for  by  money  raised 
from  members  and  friends  of  the  regiment. 

Now  in  regard  to  the  Melvin  boys.  I  knew  them  very 
well,  being  on  guard  with  them  more  or  less,  especially 
at  Fort  Albany.  When  we  first  went  out  Company  K 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  49 

was  at  Fort  Albany,  where  Company  L  was.  I  became 
acquainted  with  the  Melvin  boys  and  knew  them  well, 
and  always  found  them  willing  to  go  on  guard,  or  if 
asked  to  fall  in  or  anything  like  that,  I  always  found 
them  good  soldiers,  ready  to  obey  an  order  at  any  time. 
One  of  them  I  served  with  in  the  Fifth  Massachusetts, 
I  forget  the  letter  of  the  company.  It  went  from  here, 
and  was  commanded,  I  think,  by  Captain  Prescott.1 
I  recollect  that  at  one  time  the  regiment  was  quartered 
at  the  Treasury  Building  in  Washington,  and  there  were 
five  West  Point  Cadets  assigned  to  drill  it.  One  of  them 
lost  his  head  one  day,  being  a  little  quick  tempered. 
Somebody  in  the  company  made  a  mistake,  and  he 
swore  at  him.  I  remember  Prescott  going  up  and  call 
ing  him  down  for  doing  it,  giving  him  a  severe  lecture 
about  swearing  to  his  men.  He  said  he  did  not  do  it 
himself  and  he  did  not  like  any  outsider  to  do  it.  I  was 
not  personally  acquainted  with  him  at  that  time  in  that 
regiment,  although  I  served  in  the  same  company  with 
him.  I  remember  him  very  well.  I  was  in  the  same 
regiment,  the  Fifth,  with  him. 

Gentlemen,  I  am  glad  to  be  with  you  to-day.  It  is 
not  very  often  I  get  to  Concord.  The  last  time  I  was 
here  was  when  you  had  the  celebration  on  the  igth  of 

1  George  L.  Prescott,  Concord,  Captain  of  Company  G,  Fifth  M.  V.  M. 
Later  he  was  Captain,  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  Colonel  in  the  Thirty- 
Second  Massachusetts  Infantry.  Severely  wounded,  June  18,  1864,  be 
fore  Petersburg,  he  died  the  following  day.  He  was  brevetted  Brigadier- 
General  from  the  i8th  of  June,  1864. 


50  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

April,  1875,  and  I  almost  froze  to  death.  It  was  a  cold 
day,  and  to  top  off  with  we  had  to  march  from  Lexing 
ton  into  Boston  and  arrived  there  somewhere  about 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning.  We  got  back  to  Salem 
at  four.  Still,  I  had  a  nice  time.  But  I  am  very 
much  pleased  with  our  exercises  here  to-day.  Thank 
you! 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  We  would  like  a  word  from 
Comrade  Frost,  who  I  understand  was  acquainted  with 
our  comrades  whose  memory  we  honor  to-day,  and  I 
think  was  a  member  of  Company  K.  Comrade  Frost! 

COMRADE  S.  C.  FROST,  ARLINGTON 

I  was  well  acquainted  with  our  Melvin  comrades, 
because  I  was  a  member  of  Company  K.  Perhaps  some 
of  you  will  remember  that  some  of  Company  K  had 
tents  outside  of  Fort  Albany  in  1862,  and  part  of  them 
were  in  an  old  log  cabin  inside  of  the  fort.  These  three 
Melvin  boys  were  all  inside  of  the  fort,  and  I  was  also 
inside,  so  I  was  right  intimately  connected  with  them. 
They  were  good  boys  and  good  soldiers,  always  obeyed 
orders,  and  I  don't  think  they  ever  had  any  trouble  at 
all,  were  always  ready  for  duty.  Comrade  Jones  and  I 
were  detailed  to  watch  with  John  Melvin  the  last  night 
he  lived. 

I  just  want  to  say  a  little  about  the  generosity  of  our 
host.  I  have  known  him  a  good  many  years.  When  I 
was  commander  of  Post  36  of  Arlington  I  induced  him 


"f/JL. 

fefa 


^ 


OF   THE 

UNIVERSITY 

OF 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  51 

to  join  the  Grand  Army.  He  never  had  joined  it  before. 
I  had  the  pleasure  of  mustering  him  into  the  Post.  He 
lived  in  Newton,  so  that  I  don't  think  he  ever  came  to 
a  Post  meeting  except  on  the  night  he  was  mustered  in. 
But  he  paraded  with  us  at  the  time  of  the  National  En 
campment  in  Boston  in  1890;  he  went  over  the  whole 
route  with  us.  He  always  paid  his  dues  promptly,  and 
if  we  had  a  fair  or  an  entertainment  and  wanted  to  raise 
money,  if  I  went  to  him  with  tickets  and  asked  him  to 
give  money  he  would  ask  me  how  much  I  thought  he 
ought  to  give.  I  would  tell  him  what  I  thought  was 
about  right,  and  he  would  hand  it  out.  When  we  made 
one  of  our  excursions  South  I  invited  him  to  go ;  he  said 
he  could  not  go,  but  he  would  pay  the  expense  of  some 
poor  comrade  who  could  not  afford  to  go,  and  he  did  it. 
When  we  were  raising  money  for  a  monument  I  went 
to  him  and  asked  him  to  help  us  on  it.  He  said,  "Yes/* 
He  took  out  his  check  book.  I  expected  he  would  hand 
me  a  check  for  about  ten  or  fifteen  dollars,  and  he  sur 
prised  me  by  handing  me  one  for  fifty  dollars.  I  think 
that  made  Company  K's  subscription  the  leading  one 
of  all  the  companies  in  the  regiment.  And  to-day  we 
have  had  a  sample  of  his  generosity  which  we  never 
will  forget.  I  was  going  to  move  to  make  him  an  hon 
orary  member  of  the  regiment,  but  our  President  got 
ahead  of  me.  I  hope  we  shall  see  him  with  us  after  this, 
now  that  he  is  an  honorary  member.  I  have  invited 
him  several  times  to  attend  our  reunions,  but  he  never 


52  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

has  been  present.   I  think  we  shall  always  remember 
this  day's  generosity. 

COMRADE    BRADLEY:  —  Comrades   would    like    to 
hear  —  I  will  not  take  up  your  time  in  introduction  - 
Comrade  Holt  of  Lawrence.  He  is  a  quiet,  unassuming 
fellow,  but  he  cuts  lots  of  ice  about  this  season  of  the 
year,  and  more  in  the  cold  weather.1 

COMRADE  LEWIS  G.  HOLT,  LAWRENCE 

I  am  not  an  orator,  I  am  not  a  public  speaker,  but 
I  am  proud  to  say  that  I  was  a  soldier  in  the  First 
Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery,  and  that  I  served  three 
years  in  the  ranks  of  that  regiment.  I  say  without  fear 
of  contradiction  by  any  of  my  comrades  that  I  was  a 
good  soldier,  and  that  my  regiment  was  never  in  battle 
or  skirmish  that  I  was  not  to  be  found  in  the  front  rank. 
I  take  no  special  credit  to  myself  for  always  having 
been  in  the  front  rank,  because  that  was  where  I  be 
longed.  I  was  the  tallest  corporal  in  my  company,  so 
my  position  was  on  the  right  and  in  the  front  rank. 
After  I  was  placed  upon  the  colors  I  was  also  the  tallest 
corporal,  and  I  was  on  the  right  and  in  the  front  rank 
until  I  was  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor. 

I  did  not  expect  to  be  called  upon  to  say  anything, 
and  I  have  not  much  to  say,  but  some  things  that  have 
been  said  here  have  led  to  some  thoughts  that  I  would 
like  to  express,  and  one  is  a  little  matter  between  the 

1  Lewis  G.  Holt  has  been  in  the  ice  business  for  many  years. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  53 

Rebs  and  the  Yanks.  When  we  went  down  to  dedicate 
the  monument  at  Spottsylvania  we  stopped  in  Rich 
mond,  and  I  went  into  the  hall  of  the  Camp  of  Con 
federate  Veterans.  They  had  a  beautiful  hall,  a  large 
one,  and  on  its  walls  was  an  oil  painting,  life-size  or 
nearly  so,  of  every  general  in  the  Confederate  army, 
and  right  in  the  middle  of  the  hall,  just  even  with  your 
eye,  was  a  picture  of  General  Grant.  It  brought  to  my 
mind  the  words  of  General  Grant,  and  I  thought  the 
Confederate  soldiers  had  accepted  it  exactly  in  the  same 
spirit  as  the  Northern  soldiers  have.  "The  war  is  over. 
Let  us  have  peace."  So  I  have  nothing  to  say  except 
in  the  words  of  General  Grant,  "The  war  is  over.  Let 
us  have  peace."  We  have  buried  the  hatchet.  They 
are  friends,  we  are  friends,  and  this  is  a  great  and  glo 
rious  united  country,  thank  God  for  it.  ["Amen."] 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  I  wish  to  say  that  on  the 
i6th  of  June,  if  my  memory  serves  me  right,  when  we 
made  the  first  assault  on  Petersburg,  Color  Sergeant 
Clark  fell  wounded  in  the  assault  and  Comrade  Buck 
ley, —  what  company  was  he?  [A  Comrade:  "H."] 
I  am  speaking  from  memory,  —  picked  the  colors  up. 
If  I  am  not  mistaken  Comrade  Dearborn  of  Company 
L  was  at  that  time  on  the  color  guard.  Now,  this  is  one 
of  the  days  we  celebrate,  and  if  Comrade  Dearborn  is 
here  we  would  like  to  hear  a  little  something  authentic 
in  regard  to  that  fight  of  the  i6th,  in  which  one  of  our 
comrades  whose  memory  we  honor  to-day  fell.  Comrade 
Dearborn ! 


54  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

COMRADE  S.  B.  DEARBORN,  WAKEFIELD 

Mr.  Toastmaster :  I  don't  know  as  I  can  give  this 
regiment  or  give  you  any  information,  as  I  understand 
it,  in  regard  to  the  color  sergeant  business  at  that  time. 

Sergeant  Lester  B.  Clark  was  formerly  a  sailor,  and 
he  was  a  sergeant  in  Company  L.  He  was  quite  a  fleshy 
fellow,  good  natured,  a  good  soldier.  When  we  entered 
the  fight  on  the  i6th  of  June  I  was  not  a  member  of  the 
color  guard,  but  I  was  next  to  the  color  guard.  On  the 
left  of  Sergeant  Clark  was  Corporal  Buckley  of  Com 
pany  H.  When  Sergeant  Clark  fell  I  saw  the  flag  go 
down,  and  Corporal  Buckley  reached  and  picked  it  up. 
I  thought  oftentimes  that  if  anything  happened  to 
Buckley  I  should  have  had  it  then.  Although  I  was 
not  on  the  color  guard,  I  should  have  thrown  down  my 
gun  and  picked  up  the  flag.  I  have  seen  Corporal  Buck 
ley  since  then, — he  was  down  at  one  of  our  reunions,  - 
and  I  asked  him,  "Are  you  the  man  that  picked  up 
the  flag  ?"  He  said  he  was.  Corporal  Buckley  was  not 
promoted  to  color  sergeant,  and  was  not  appointed 
one  after  that.  Sergeant  Mack  of  Company  I  was  the 
Color  Sergeant,  and  Sergeant  Mack  carried  the  flag 
way  through  to  the  5th  of  April,  1865,  wrien  a  shell 
burst  right  over  it  and  split  the  staff  in  two  pieces.  As 
it  happened,  somehow  or  other,  I  don't  know  how,  I 
was  not  far  from  Mack  then.  I  had  been  on  the  skir 
mish  line  all  that  day.  And  by  the  way,  to  go  outside 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  55 

a  little,  we  had  come  up  to  a  house,  and  Sergeant  Per- 
cival  of  Company  L  was  with  me  then.  I  was  under 
his  orders,  and  we  were  firing  from  the  house  on  the 
skirmish  line.  I  turned  and  saw  the  brigade  coming 
and  the  colors  flying,  and  then  our  staff  had  not  been 
struck.  As  they  came  along  we  joined  in  with  them, 
and  when  the  shell  struck  that  flag  of  ours,  which  is  in 
the  State  House  and  shows  the  staff  fastened  together, 
Mack  picked  it  up  under  his  arm  and  carried  staff  and 
flag  under  his  arm  right  along  like  this.  I  presume,  of 
course,  we  had  it  repaired  in  the  regiment  as  best  we 
could,  to  carry  it  after  that.  I  think  Sergeant  Stoddard 
had  the  state  colors,  as  I  remember  it.  That  is  a  little 
history  of  our  color  sergeants  from  the  time  we  went 
to  the  front.  Sergeant  Clark,  for  want  of  proper  care, 
as  I  understood,  bled  to  death.  There  is  a  drummer 
boy  here  from  Company  H  who  was  with  him  when  he 
died;  he  spoke  to  me  to-day. 

In  speaking  of  the  fight  of  the  i6th  you  referred  to 
the  log  shanties.  Of  course  you  all  remember  those, 
and  then  the  ravine  into  which  we  went  and  up  which 
we  fired.  I  seemed  to  be  right  along  with  Sergeant  Per- 
cival  then,  for  he  said,  "  Dearborn,  make  for  this  log." 
We  got  behind  that  log,  and  laid  our  cartridges  on  it, 
and  he  fired  two  shots  to  my  one.  But  he  said,  "Keep 
on  firing."  And  I  remember  being  on  the  skirmish  line 
on  the  6th  of  April. 

This  was  such  a  large  regiment  that,  although  there 


56  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

were  so  many  of  our  men  knocked  out  at  Spottsylvania 
June  16,  18,  and  22,  it  is  surprising  how  few  men  there 
were  at  the  surrender.  You  see  we  lost  nearly  four 
hundred  on  the  first  send  off,  and  three  hundred  were 
taken  the  22d  of  June  to  go  to  Andersonville  and  those 
places,  because  our  flank  was  exposed,  and  besides 
there  were  Cold  Harbor  and  Totopotomy  Creek. 

There  came  an  order  for  a  detail  to  go  and  guard 
our  train,  and  "Governor"1  [Hazen  S.]  Pingree  of 
Company  F  was  detailed  as  one  of  the  guards.  Mosby 
captured  the  whole  outfit.  I  know  Captain  Littlefield 
came  and  said,  "I  will  take  the  man  who  has  the  two 
sorest  feet."  I  was  in  hopes  he  would  take  me,  to  be 
honest,  but  he  took  a  man  by  the  name  of  Alger  from 
Quincy,  from  our  company,  and  Coney.  Coney  died 
in  Andersonville  a  raving  maniac,  and  Alger  was  left 
on  the  field  with  a  charge  of  buckshot  in  him.  He  came 
home  to  Quincy,  but  afterwards  died. 

I  don't  know  but  I  have  wandered  from  my  subject. 
I  like  to  talk  to  the  regiment.  This  is  the  greatest  day 
I  have  ever  seen  in  the  regiment.  As  has  been  said,  we 
are  indebted  to  Comrade  Melvin  for  all  this.  I  felt  like 
keeping  quiet  and  thinking  it  over  after  I  got  home, 
but  I  would  not  have  missed  it  for  anything.  There 
was  a  comrade  coming  in  on  the  train  this  morning  who 
had  been  invited  to  be  here  to  sing  with  the  singers. 

1  Mayor  of  Detroit,  Michigan,  1889,  and  Governor  of  Michigan, 
1897-99,  better  known  as  "Potato  Patch  Pingree." 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  57 

He  said,  "I  would  rather  give  ten  dollars  than  to  be 
away  from  this  to-day,  but  I  have  got  to  be  at  the  Cus 
tom  House."  I  thank  you  for  calling  upon  me. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  Of  course  it  is  a  delightful 
occasion  and  we  could  stay  here  all  the  afternoon,  but 
time  goes  on.  It  is  very  strange  how  these  little  inci 
dents  refresh  your  memory,  and,  while  not  meaning 
to  be  personal,  we  have  to  be  a  little  so  in  our  recitals. 
I  knew  we  had  a  color  sergeant  who  fell  on  the  i6th, 
and  we  had  one  on  the  i8th,  and  I  remember  now  Com 
rade  Clark,  who  was  carried  behind  the  O'Hare  house 
after  he  was  severely  wounded.  It  is  just  as  clear  as  if 
it  had  happened  five  minutes  ago.  About  that  time 
Colonel  Tannatt,  who  commanded  the  brigade  before 
he  was  wounded,  sent  an  order  to  Major  Shatswell  for 
ammunition,  and  in  my  position  as  bugler  with  Shats 
well  I  was  sent  to  order  it  up.  I  was  mounted  on  a 
little  black  horse,  that  one  of  the  aides  gave  me,  and  I 
rode  back  to  the  rear,  to  the  ordnance  officer,  and  de 
livered  my  order.  You  would  be  surprised,  Comrades, 
to  know  the  amount  of  ammunition  you  fired  between 
half-past  five  and  ten  on  the  i6th  of  June.  If  I  am  not 
mistaken,  three  times  that  order  came  to  me  for  am 
munition.  The  second  time,  coming  back,  I  came  be 
hind  the  house  and  heard  a  voice.  I  went  up,  and 
Color  Sergeant  Clark  spoke  to  me  and  said,  "For  God's 
sake,  Bugler,  give  me  a  drink  of  water."  I  gave  him  a 
drink  of  water  out  of  a  canteen. 


58  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

The  next  day,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  we  lost  another 
sergeant,  the  sergeant  who  was  carrying  the  state  colors. 
Is  that  right,  Comrade  Dearborn?  On  the  i8th  the 
state  colors  went  down,  and  a  corporal  of  the  color 
guard  took  them  and  carried  them  forward,  and  I  think 
carried  them  to  the  end;  that  was  Comrade  Dame  of 
Company  B.  If  Comrade  Dame  is  here  I  want  to  know 
if  I  am  telling  the  truth  in  regard  to  the  i8th.  Com 
rade  Dame,  is  he  here  ?  He  was  here  a  minute  ago.  I 
am  sure  of  it.  As  the  comrade  is  not  present,  let  us 
hear  from  Comrade  Charles  H.  Shaw  of  Company  E. 

COMRADE  CHARLES  H.  SHAW,  CAMBRIDGE 

Mr.  Toastmaster:  I  thank  you  for  calling  upon  me. 
Many  things  have  come  back  to  me  during  the  talks 
to-day,  especially  the  conversation  that  Comrade  Wilder 
gave  us.  I  was  one  of  those  unfortunates  that  went  to 
Andersonville.  Out  of  thirty-three  taken  that  day,  I 
am  one  of  five  that  are  on  earth  to-day.  But  what 
came  back  to  me  very  vividly  was  the  death  of  your 
brother,  Comrade  Melvin,  the  25th  day  of  September. 
I  was  in  Company  E  and  was  watching  one  of  my 
boys,  James  G.  West,  who  enlisted  from  Bradford, 
though  he  was  a  Newton,  New  Hampshire,  boy.  We 
had  a  little  something  to  do;  we  helped  Company  K 
and  Company  D.  He  knew  he  could  live  but  a  little 
while.  He  called  me, and  he  said,  "Charley,  if  you  live 
to  get  out  of  this  Hell  on  earth  I  have  a  few  little  trin- 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  59 

kets  here  that  I  want  returned  to  my  dear  old  mother 
up  there  in  Newton."  I  took  those  trinkets,  and  I  gave 
them  to  that  dear  old  mother.  I  was  a  Newton  boy  also, 
but  when  I  got  there  I  was  in  such  a  condition  that  I 
could  not  be  moved  for  nineteen  days  after  reaching  my 
home.  She  heard  that  I  was  there,  and  she  had  a  car 
riage  sent  for  me  to  go  to  her  residence.  I  went  on  that 
errand  of  mercy,  and  she  wanted  me  to  give  her  a  de 
scription  of  her  son's  death.  I  could  not  do  it  all  at  once. 
I  gave  it  to  her  easy.  It  was  on  the  25th  day  of  Septem 
ber,  the  very  day  that  your  brother  died.  I  remember 
it  very  well,  and  how  I  stood  by  West,  gazing  at  him, 
because  Comrade  Wilder  and  the  rest  of  the  old  com 
rades  will  recall  that  we  watched  for  the  boys  to  die. 
We  could  then  go  outside  to  carry  out  the  dead  who  died 
before  sunset,  and  thus  get  a  chance  to  bring  back  some 
wood  to  cook  our  food  with,  so  we  laid  for  chartces.  I 
thank  you  for  calling  upon  me. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  -  -  We  would  like  to  hear  a  word 
from  Comrade  Wait.  I  think  Comrade  Wait  was  ac 
quainted  with  the  boys.  If  not,  we  would  like  to  hear 
from  him  anyway. 

COMRADE  LUTHER  WAIT,  IPSWICH 

I  cannot  say  that  I  was  individually  acquainted  with 
the  boys ;  I  recollect  them,  as  I  do  a  great  many  others. 
We  were  never  connected  with  Company  K  as  much  as 
we  were  with  some  other  companies.  Company  F  of 


60  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

Lawrence  we  were  quite  intimately  acquainted  with, 
because  we  camped  together  a  great  deal.  Nevertheless, 
they  were  comrades  of  our  regiment,  comrades  of  mine, 
as  I  wrote  our  host  when  I  answered  his  kind  invitation, 
for  which  I  wish  to  thank  him  very  kindly. 

I  was  going  to  say  I  had  enjoyed,  and  I  have  enjoyed, 
myself  on  this  occasion,  although  of  course  there  is  sad 
ness  mixed  with  it.  My  visit  to  this  town  on  this  occa 
sion  I  am  glad  has  happened  on  such  a  beautiful  day 
as  this.  My  former  impressions  of  Concord  were  not 
very  pleasant,  as  I  was  never  here  but  once  before  in  my 
life,  and  that  was  on  the  one  hundredth  anniversary 
of  Concord  and  Lexington,  which  many  of  you  prob 
ably  remember  was  one  of  the  roughest  days  that  you 
ever  experienced,  nothing  but  snow  squalls  all  day  long. 
But  this  is  a  fine  day,  and  we  have  had  a  fine  time. 
Comrade  Melvin  has  more  than  outdone  himself  in 
entertaining  the  comrades  of  this  regiment,  and  we  are 
under  great  obligations  to  him  for  the  privilege  of  meet 
ing  in  this  old  historic  town,  where  the  shot  was  fired 
that  was  heard  round  the  world.  Of  those  who  lie 
buried  in  this  old  historic  town,  dating  back  to  those 
days,  none  are  more  deserving  of  praise  for  what  they 
did  for  this  country  than  are  the  three  brothers  whose 
death  we  commemorate  to-day,  who  fell  in  defence  of 
what  the  forefathers  established.  They  lie  at  rest. 

"For  them  the  muffled  drum  has  beat 
The  soldier's  last  tattoo; 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  61 

No  more  on  Life's  parade  shall  meet 

That  brave  and  fallen  few. 
On  Fame's  eternal  camping-ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  Glory  guards  with  solemn  round 

The  bivouac  of  the  dead." 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  —  Is  Comrade  Gibson  here  ? 
We  would  like  to  hear  a  word  from  Comrade  Gibson  of 
Company  F. 

COMRADE  GEORGE  S.  GIBSON,  CLINTON 

I  don't  know  what  I  can  say,  Comrades,  of  interest 
to  you,  though  I  might  give  a  little  description  of  my 
experience  in  setting  that  monument  on  the  battlefield 
at  Spottsylvania. 

You  will  remember,  when  we  first  marched  through 
Fredericksburg,  and  on  the  march  out  to  Spottsylvania, 
the  road  over  which  we  had  to  pass  in  order  to  reach  that 
city  and  reach  the  battlefield,  and  our  experience  there 
for  a  few  days.  When  you  come  to  the  project  of  taking 
a  monument  weighing  fifteen  tons  over  those  various 
creeks,  without  bridges  and  without  roads,  excepting 
what  were  mere  apologies  for  roads,  you  may  know  that 
a  man  was  up  against  quite  a  proposition.  On  my  ar 
riving  in  Fredericksburg  and  viewing  the  monument  — 
I  was  sent  out,  by  the  way,  by  Comrade  Norcross,1  who 
built  the  monument,  to  set  it,  —  I  took  into  considera- 

1  Orlando  W.  Norcross,  Company  D,  Worcester,  one  of  the  most  dis 
tinguished  builders  in  the  United  States. 


62  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

tion  in  making  the  arrangements  that  the  man  who  had 
been  on  the  ground  was  in  the  same  business  in  which 
I  was,  building  monuments  and  setting  them.  We  drove 
to  the  ground  and  made  up  our  minds  about  how  many 
teams  it  would  take  to  get  the  monument  there,  and  it 
took  six.  We  had  twenty-four  horses.  In  getting  out 
there  we  could  pay  no  attention  to  the  little  culverts, 
because  the  load  would  cut  right  through  them,  —  they 
were  built  with  logs  laid  across  the  runs,  and  a  few 
bushes  and  sticks  laid  over  them  for  ordinary  travel,  - 
so  we  had  to  get  right  outside  and  find  a  place  at  the  side 
of  the  crossings.  When  we  crossed  those  creeks  we  had 
to  go  down  one  side  and  up  the  other,  doubling  the 
teams  in  order  to  pull  up  the  other  side.  That  was  our 
experience  in  getting  out  there.  Finally  we  landed  at 
the  ground  about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and,  by 
the  way,  we  had  started  at  daylight. 

You  will  remember  that  there  is  one  piece  of  that 
monument,  the  die,  which  has  on  it,  not  all  the  names 
of  the  comrades,  but  an  inscription  which  was  placed 
there  by  the  committee.  That  piece,  to  my  recollection, 
weighs  between  four  and  five  tons.  We  had  a  derrick, 
and  in  raising  the  derrick  of  course  we  had  to  guy  it 
back.  We  had  that  die  strapped  and  hitched  to  the 
derrick  and  were  ready  to  raise  it,  and  the  man  whom 
I  had  employed  with  his  rigging  wanted  to  strip  the 
boxing  from  the  die  before  he  raised  it.  I  said  to  him, 
"You  will  find  it  safer  to  set  that  first,  and  then  strip  it." 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  63 

"Well,"  he  said,  "how  are  we  going  to  get  those  shoes 
from  underneath  it?"  I  said,  "We  will  get  them  out, 
but  we  won't  take  them  off  till  we  get  it  up  there."  We 
set  the  team  to  the  block,  and  began  to  raise.  After  we 
got  it  up  high  enough  we  set  the  other  teams  to  the  other 
blocks  to  straighten  up  on  the  derrick,  and  it  brought 
that  die  about  two  feet  above  the  base  upon  which  it 
was  to  rest.  It  hung  here  for  a  few  minutes,  and  we  were 
adjusting  things  so  that  we  could  lower  it  exactly  into 
place,  when  one  of  the  guys  of  the  derrick  broke  and 
that  piece,  weighing  four  tons,  dropped  on  to  the  top 
of  that  stone.  I  had  taken  the  precaution  to  put  two 
timbers  across  the  under  face  to  guard  against  accidents, 
and  when  that  came  down  there  was  no  harm  done, 
excepting  a  little  shaking  of  the  foundation ;  the  foun 
dation  had  been  put  in  so  substantially  that  it  did  not 
settle  a  particle.  We  went  to  work  and  stripped  the 
die,  and  there  was  not  a  chip  or  a  crack  on  it.  I  had  the 
satisfaction  of  knowing  when  the  monument  was  set 
in  position  that  it  consisted  of  four  pieces,  and  that 
there  was  not  a  corner  chipped  the  size  of  your  thumb 
nail  on  the  whole  monument.  It  was  as  perfect  a  job 
as  was  ever  set  on  any  battlefield  or  in  any  cemetery. 
I  was  happy  to  have  the  privilege  to  set  up  such  a  beau 
tiful  memorial  to  the  memory  of  the  First  Massachu 
setts  Heavy  Artillery. 

I  won't  take  up  your  time  any  further.  We  have  had 
a  love  feast  here  which  will  go  with  us  to  the  last  days 


64  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

of  our  life,  and  I  thank  you  for  the  privilege  of  saying 
these  few  words. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  —  Sergeant  Wiley  we  would 
like  to  hear  a  word  from. 

COMRADE  JOSEPH  E.  WILEY,  COMPANY  L,  STONEHAM 

Mr.  Toastmaster :  It  is  always  a  regret  to  me  on  such 
an  occasion  as  this  that  I  am  not  a  born  orator  to  ex 
press  what  I  feel.  I  have  been  in  Concord  several  times 
before.  The  first  time  was  when  the  state  mustered 
here,  the  whole  state,  before  the  war.1  I  have  been  here 
several  times  since.  The  last  time  was  the  one  hun 
dredth  anniversary  of  Concord  and  Lexington. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  —  What  regiment  were  you  in 
before  the  war  ? 

COMRADE  WILEY  :  —  The  Fifth.  I  was  in  the  same 
regiment  with  the  Melvin  boys.  I  got  Centennial 
enough  that  day  to  last  me  one  hundred  years.  I  pre 
sume  I  knew  these  Melvin  boys  at  Fort  Albany.  I  was 
stationed  there  with  Company  K,  and  as  I  look  at  the 
pictures  I  think  I  recognize  one  of  them.  But  I  am 
a  poor  hand  for  names,  and  I  never  got  the  names.  I 
don't  feel  like  taking  up  your  time  after  the  eloquent 
speakers  you  have  heard.  I  have  had  a  fine  time  to 
day.  I  thought  at  first  I  could  not  come,  but  I  finally 
could  not  resist  and  I  am  very  glad  I  did  not. 

1  In  the  summer  of  1858,  Governor  Nathaniel  P.  Banks  mobilized  at 
Concord  the  entire  militia  of  Massachusetts,  utilizing  for  this  purpose  the 
plain  where  now  stands  the  Reformatory. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  65 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  We  would  like  to  hear  from 
Comrcde  Lewis  of  Company  F.  He  is  the  watchdog 
of  our  treasury. 

COMRADE  GEORGE  H.  LEWIS,  MELROSE 

I  want  to  say,  in  regard  to  our  treasury,  that  we  are 
not  bankrupt. 

As  we  are  getting  along  in  the  day  I  am  reminded 
that  we  have  passed  the  morning  and  passed  the  noon 
hour,  or  the  zenith,  and  we  are  looking  toward  the 
horizon,  looking  toward  the  sunset,  and  so  I  will  not 
trespass  on  your  valuable  time.  I  want  to  say,  however, 
that  this  has  been  a  pleasant  day  to  me,  that  I  have  en 
joyed  every  moment  of  it,  and  I  think  that  our  Com 
rade  Melvin  has  done  the  right  thing,  the  real  thing. 

There  are  many  things  in  this  life  that  are  mysteri 
ous  to  us,  things  that  we  cannot  comprehend,  things 
that  are  problems,  and  although  we  may  try  to  solve 
them,  yet  we  are  in  the  mist,  yet  we  are  unsatisfied  with 
our  endeavors  to  prove  them.  Here  were  three  boys, 
the  Melvin  brothers,  who  were  associated  with  us  so 
many  years  ago,  grand  boys.  The  name  of  Melvin  is 
familiar  to  my  ears.  Those  boys  were  left  behind.  They 
did  not  have  the  privilege  of  coming  back  to  their  na 
tive  state.  They  did  not  have  the  privilege  of  growing 
up  into  full  manhood  with  us.  Why  not  ?  Was  it  be 
cause  they  were  not  as  worthy  as  we  ?  Probably  they 
were  as  good,  and  perhaps  better  by  nature  than  we 


66  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

were,  but  they  were  left  behind.  We  cannot  understand 
why  they  should  be  left  behind  and  we  brought  back 
to  our  homes.  Yet  we  are  satisfied  that  there  is  a  God, 
a  Father,  infinite  in  mercy,  and  in  love  and  wisdom.  He 
has  permitted  some  to  be  taken  and  some  to  be  left.  We 
are  fortunate  in  being  here,  not,  perhaps,  because  we 
were  accounted  any  more  worthy  than  they,  but  through 
the  plenitude  of  the  mercy  of  God.  How  is  it  ?  We 
cannot  tell.  Probably  had  they  come  home  they  would 
have  filled  the  position  that  was  allotted  to  them  with 
the  quality  and  the  quantity  that  have  been  allotted  to 
some  of  us.  They  would  have  filled  their  position  in 
life  with  honor.  Yet,  as  I  said  before,  the  infinite  Fa 
ther  knoweth  what  is  right  and  doeth  all  things  well. 
The  great  Emancipator,  Liberator,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  said :  "Are  not  two  sparrows  sold  for  a  farthing, 
and  not  one  falleth  to  the  ground  without  the  Father  ? 
The  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  numbered.  Are  ye  not 
worth  more  than  many  sparrows?" 

When  we  think  of  the  lives  that  were  sacrificed  in 
that  great  war,  the  blood  that  was  shed,  the  money  ex 
pended,  what  did  it  amount  to  ?  We  are  enjoying  to 
day  the  fruition  of  our  labors,  and  the  generations 
which  are  to  come  will  enjoy  the  blessings  that  were 
brought  about  by  the  efforts  of  the  boys  of  the  army 
and  the  navy  of  the  Civil  War. 

This  indeed  has  been  a  glorious  day.  We  will  remem 
ber  it.  Comrade  Melvin  has  erected  a  grand  and  glori- 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  67 

ous  memorial  for  his  brothers.  It  stands  there  as  a 
monument  denoting  the  sacrifices  that  were  made  by 
those  boys.  As  the  rising  generation  shall  look  upon  it 
they  will  admire  their  valor,  and  as  the  coming  genera 
tions  shall  come  upon  the  stage  of  action  and  shall  see 
it,  while  they  may  have  a  tinge  of  sadness  in  their  hearts 
they  will  be  glad  that  men  dared  to  do  and  to  die  and  to 
stand  the  brunt  of  battle. 

Comrades,  we  are  under  deep  obligation  to  our  Com 
rade  Melvin  for  this  occasion.  I  know  it  will  be  long 
remembered.  I  know  that  we  shall  cherish  it,  and  we 
shall  think  it  over,  and  it  is  frescoed  on  our  brain  and 
our  mind  and  our  heart.  As  the  days  go  by,  and  as  we 
go  down  the  declivity  of  life,  this  will  be  one  bright  spot 
in  our  life. 

I  thank  you  for  calling  upon  me.  I  think  that  we 
have  all  enjoyed  ourselves,  and  to  those  who  have  not 
been  fortunate  enough  to  be  with  us  we  must  give  the 
details  of  this  glorious  occasion. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  Comrade  Hawkins !  I  would 
like  to  say,  while  Comrade  Hawkins  is  turning  the  mat 
ter  over  in  his  mind,  that  names  have  been  passed  in  to 
me  here  trying  to  cover  the  different  companies.  Be 
fore  the  Grand  Army  goes  out  I  want  to  thank  the  Old 
Concord  Post  for  the  large  turnout  that  it  made  to-day 
to  escort  us  to  the  Memorial  and  return.  I  think  there 
were  twenty  members  present  and  parading  out  of  a 
membership  of  something  like  thirty. 


68  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

A  COMRADE  :  -  -  Twenty-seven. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY: — Twenty-seven.  That  is  doing 
better  still.  It  only  shows  that  the  old  soldier  and 
sailor  are  willing  and  anxious  to  turn  out  when  occa 
sion  calls. 

Comrade  Hawkins,  can  you  give  us  a  word  ?  And 
if  there  is  any  comrade  here  who  was  personally  ac 
quainted  with  the  comrades  whose  name  we  honor  to 
day,  the  three  Melvin  boys,  we  would  like  to  hear  from 
him.  Comrade  Hawkins,  a  word! 

COMRADE   HENRY  M.   HAWKINS    (C),   DORCHESTER 

Mr.  Toastmaster  and  Comrades:  I  am  more  than 
surprised  that  Comrade  Bradley  should  call  upon  me, 
there  is  so  much  better  talent  and  there  are  so  many 
better  orators  than  I  am  here,  and  I  think  that  you 
would  be  better  pleased  to  hear  from  them  than  from 
me.  I  will  say,  however,  that  the  reception  and  enter 
tainment  that  have  been  given  by  Comrade  Melvin  to 
day  are  beyond  anything  that  I  anticipated,  and  I  think 
that  I  can  safely  say  that  when  I  tell  the  comrades 
whom  I  meet  what  reception,  what  entertainment  we 
have  had,  what  the  Memorial  is,  and  how  constructed, 
they  will  say  that  I  am  drawing  the  long  bow.  They 
won't  begin  to  believe  that  we  were  so  royally  enter 
tained  by  one  individual  as  we  have  been.  Therefore, 
Comrade  Melvin,  I  heartily  thank  you  for  myself,  and 
I  am  sure  that  I  express  the  wishes  of  the  rest  of  the 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  69 

comrades  of  this  regiment,  for  this  memorable  enter 
tainment. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY:  —  Is  there  any  comrade  here 
who  was  personally  acquainted  with  any  one  of  the 
three  boys,  who  can  give  us  a  word  now  that  would  be 
of  interest  to  us  ?  Comrade  Wheeler ! 

COMMANDER  GEORGE  F.  WHEELER  OF  OLD  CONCORD 

POST 

I  am  of  Old  Concord  Post.  I  have  been  asked  to  give 
some  personal  recollection  of  these  three  Melvin  boys. 
I  like  to  go  back,  you  know,  to  my  early  days,  —  I  am 
a  native  of  Concord, —  and  my  association  with  them 
as  boys  is  very  pleasant  to  remember.  They  lived  in 
one  part  of  the  town  and  I  in  another,  but  we  went  to 
the  same  church  together,  and  as  was  customary  in 
those  times  when  we  went  to  church  we  carried  our 
dinners  and  spent  the  day  there.  So  there  was  an  early 
acquaintance  formed  between  us  that  was  very  plea 
sant.  John  and  Sam  were  in  my  Sunday-school  class, 
and  that  class  of  seven  boys  all  went  to  the  war ;  three 
of  them  did  not  return.  But,  as  I  say,  I  have  a  very 
pleasant  recollection  of  that  early  acquaintance  with 
them  as  small  boys.  One  of  the  neighbors,  who  lived 
nearest  to  Mr.  Melvin,  spoke  of  Mr.  Melvin's  father 
in  this  wise :  "If  I  was  owing  Mr.  Asa  Melvin  anything 
I  should  as  lief  he  would  come  to  my  house  and  go  in, 
and  get  his  pay  out  of  my  pocket-book.  I  am  sure  that 


70  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

he  would  do  the  correct  thing,"  -  showing  the  integ 
rity  of  that  family.  So  I  think  this  early  recollection 
of  the  Melvin  boys  is  one  of  the  most  joyous  in  my  life. 
I  was  well  acquainted  with  others  of  the  family,  and  it 
is  pleasant  to  tell  of  it  to  you  here. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  —  Is  there  any  other  comrade 
here,  of  the  Post  or  of  the  Association,  who  will  just 
say  a  word  ?  We  have  only  a  few  minutes  left.  We  shall 
be  very  glad  to  hear  from  any  one. 

COMRADE  GEORGE  B.  CLARK  (H),  SOMERVILLE 

Mr.  Toastmaster  and  Comrades  of  the  First  Massa 
chusetts  :  I  am  proud  to  say  that  I  am  a  member  of  the 
First  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery,  after  what  I  have 
heard  to-day.  I  have  attended  many  reunions  of  this 
regiment  in  the  past,  but  my  voice  has  never  been  raised 
at  any  of  its  meetings.  I  was  one  of  the  youngest  mem 
bers  of  that  regiment.  I  recollect  well  when  the  regiment 
filed  out  of  Fort  Albany  that  bright  Sunday  afternoon, 
and  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  Alexandria;  it  was  one 
of  the  grandest  regiments,  I  believe,  I  ever  saw.  They 
knew  where  they  were  going,  at  least  they  were  pretty 
sure  they  knew  where  they  were  going.  When  that  regi 
ment  crossed  the  Rappahannock  on  that  pontoon 
bridge  and  climbed  up  over  the  bricks  and  the  ruins 
that  were  in  the  pathway,  and  reached  the  main  street  of 
the  city,  they  unfurled  their  colors  and  marched  through 
it.  Well  do  I  recollect  Major  Rolfe  singing  out  to  un- 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  71 

furl  the  colors.  We  marched  through  the  city  of  Fred- 
ericksburg  and  received  the  plaudits  of  the  wounded 
soldiers  as  they  came  out  of  the  hospitals,  and  the  women 
and  the  children.  Within  forty-eight  hours  we  went 
into  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania  and  lost  two  hundred 
and  ninety-eight  men,  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners. 

It  was  my  lot  to  help  the  wounded.  I  recollect  well 
that  I  helped  Captain  Davis  off  the  field  to  an  ambu 
lance.  He  was  bright  and  cheerful.  Having  been  shot 
through  the  leg,  he  thought  that  he  was  only  slightly 
wounded,  but  I  was  surprised  to  hear  of  his  death 
shortly  afterwards.  Color  Sergeant  Clark  was  no  rela 
tive  of  mine,  but  I  was  well  acquainted  with  him.  He 
was  a  splendid  soldier,  as  brave  a  soldier  as  there  was 
in  the  regiment.  I  was  with  him  the  day  he  died.  He 
was  brought  to  the  Bryant  Farm  field  hospital  in  the 
evening,  and  the  next  day  he  got  no  treatment  until 
afternoon,  there  were  so  many  wounded;  but  he  had 
lost  considerable  blood,  and  when  he  was  put  upon  the 
amputating  table  he  never  came  out  of  the  effects  of  the 
ether.  I  was  surprised;  I  was  a  short  distance  away 
and  I  heard  the  report  that  he  had  gone.  I  went  forward. 
A  stretcher  stood  near  the  table,  with  a  blanket  cover 
ing  the  body.  I  removed  the  blanket,  and  at  once  recog 
nized  the  color  sergeant.  He  was  buried  with  about 
fifty  others  on  the  Bryant  Farm. 

We  do  well,  Comrades,  to  come  to  these  reunions  and 
erect  monuments  and  memorials  throughout  the  length 


72  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

and  breadth  of  this  land  to  commemorate  heroic  deeds, 
but  let  us  remember,  and  I  have  no  doubt  we  all  do 
remember,  the  sacrifices  made  by  those  who  remained 
at  home.  Who  can  tell  of  the  sacrifices  made  by  the 
mothers  ?  Mrs.  Bixby  of  Boston  gave  five  sons  and  re 
ceived  a  personal  letter  from  the  immortal  Lincoln,  giv 
ing  his  sympathy  and  condolence.  This  family  gave 
three.  When  I  received  a  note  of  invitation  from  our 
host  and  read  it,  I  said  to  myself,  "That  strikes  me 
in  the  right  spot.  I  shall  be  at  that  reunion  if  it  is 
a  possible  thing  for  me  to  be  there."  And  I  am  here 
to-day. 

And  those  who  perished  in  the  prison  pens  of  the 
South  have  been  brought  vividly  to  our  minds  to-day. 
The  dust  of  these  heroes  lies  in  unknown  graves,  but 
their  names  are  enrolled  in  the  lists  of  immortal  heroes. 
Some  twenty  odd  years  ago,  one  bright  afternoon,  some 
thing  similar  to  this,  I  stood  in  the  National  Cemetery 
at  Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  where  a  schoolmate  and 
classmate  of  mine  before  the  war  was  buried.  I  had  al 
ways  wished  to  reach  that  spot  and  see  if  I  could  find 
his  grave.  I  entered  that  cemetery,  and  I  rejoiced  to 
see  that  the  government  had  bought  up  the  land  in  which 
these  comrades  were  buried  who  had  died  there  during 
the  war,  and  put  a  beautiful  face  wall  about  it,  with  iron 
gates.  I  entered,  and  found  the  superintendent,  a  one- 
armed  Union  soldier.  He  had  me  register  my  name, 
took  me  up  to  a  little  knoll  in  that  cemetery,  and  then  he 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  73 

turned  and  said,  "There,  Comrade,  there  are  the 
trenches."  I  looked  and  I  saw  three  or  four  long  green 
mounds  stretching  away  to  the  other  end  of  the  ceme 
tery,  not  a  headstone,  not  a  stone  to  mark  the  name 
of  one.  Standing  nearest  was  a  monument  built  by  the 
government,  about  thirty  feet  highf  and  on  it  was  this 
simple  inscription:  "11,800.  Pro  patriae."  Eleven 
thousand  and  eight  hundred  died  for  patriotism.  They 
died  for  love  of  country,  for  you  and  for  me. 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  —  Comrades,  I  have  no  doubt 
that  we  could  put  another  twelve  hours  on  to  this  after 
noon,  but  it  is  getting  along  about  that  time  of  the  day 
in  which  you  know  we  formed  at  Petersburg  and  had 
to  go  into  the  fight.  The  battle  of  life  is  not  yet  over 
with  us,  and  we  have  other  fights  to  engage  in  before 
the  end  comes,  —  at  least,  I  hope  so.  I  hope  they  will 
be  of  such  a  kind  that  the  victories  will  be  more  in  the 
line  of  peace  and  of  progress  and  of  all  that  goes  for 
good-will  than  in  the  line  of  hatred  or  temper  or  strife 
on  the  battlefield. 

Comrades,  we  cannot  leave  this  historic  town  with 
out  saying  just  a  word  or  two  to  clinch,  as  it  were,  what 
has  already  been  said.  To  those  who  have  been  here  it 
has  been  a  delightful  day.  We  are  under  deep  and  great 
obligations  to  Comrade  Melvin  for  inviting  this  old 
regiment  up  here,  and  when  we  leave,  Concord  will  be 
more  to  us  than  it  ever  has  been  before.  In  our  hearts 
it  has  always  been  the  place  where  liberty  was  born. 


74  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

We  shall  never  forget  what  is  inscribed  on  the  monu 
ment  at  the  Old  North  Bridge.  We  shall  never  forget 
that  it  was  here  that  the  determined  stand  was  made 
against  the  British  army.1  It  is  not  oratory  in  Faneuil 
Hall,  it  is  not  speech  on  the  platform,  no  matter  how 
eloquent  that  may  be,  that  brings  to  birth  a  nation ;  it 
requires  the  will  of  men  facing  fire  and  death.  And  it 
was  at  Concord  that  this  Nation  had  its  birth  in  the 
beginning  of  the  War  of  the  Revolution,  and  we  hold 
the  name  of  Concord  very  dear  to  every  true  American. 
But,  Comrades,  we  will  go  away  now  feeling  that  here 
is  a  monument  that  not  only  commemorates  the  three 
comrades  of  our  regiment,  but  that  also  speaks  in  most 
kindly  words  the  feeling  that  is  in  the  heart  of  our  com 
rade  who  remains  of  that  family.  Not  only  does  he  erect 
it  to  the  memory  of  his  three  brothers,  but  he  also  joins 
to-day  in  the  expression  he  made  as  we  entered  the 
cemetery  to  two  or  three  around  us,  "It  is  also  to  the 
First  Massachusetts  Heavy  Artillery,  of  which  my 
brothers  were  members."  Comrade  Melvin,  you  have 
a  warm  place  in  all  our  hearts.  We  wish  we  could  have 
the  time  and  the  occasion  to  show  it.  But  if  the  Lord 
lets  us  live  and  we  have  our  reunions,  come  down  and 
see  us,  and  you  will  find  the  boys  that  stood  shoulder 
to  shoulder  with  your  brothers  under  the  old  colors 
of  the  First  Massachusetts  are  just  as  true  to-day  as 

1  Major  Buttrick's  command,  "Fire,  for  God's  sake,  fire!"  was  the 
first  time  Americans  had  ever  been  ordered  to  fire  on  British  troops. 


THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL  75 

they  were  then,  and  you  will  have  a  very  large  place  in 
all  our  lives  from  this  day  on.  God  bless  the  old  First 
Heavies  and  bless  the  man  who  had  the  thought  to  com 
memorate  in  this  marble  Memorial  the  sacrifices,  not 
only  of  his  own  kin,  but  also  the  deeds  of  the  regiment 
of  which  they  were  honored  members. 

We  shall  go  from  this  place,  Comrades,  feeling  that 
we  have  spent  at  least  a  few  hours  in  something  that 
will  do  more  for  us  than  pleasure,  that  has  brought  to 
us  more  than  money  can  buy:  it  has  brought  to  us 
the  memories  of  the  day  when  together  we  fought  under 
the  dear  old  flag.  And  we  are  glad  to  see  it  adorning 
this  room.  Memories  of  the  past  come  rushing  in  on 
us  here.  We  can  hardly  express  ourselves  as  we  think 
of  the  boys  that  were  piled  up  at  Spottsylvania  and  that 
fell  in  the  trenches  before  Petersburg  and  all  down 
through  the  Weldon  Road  until  finally  victory  crowned 
our  efforts  at  Appomattox.  The  past  is  gone,  but  the 
memory  of  it  will  be  joined  with  the  memory  of  this  day 
in  one  of  the  sweetest  recollections  of  our  entire  lives. 

Comrade  Melvin  has  a  word  to  say  before  we  close 
our  meeting. 

COMRADE  MELVIN:  —  One  or  two  things  I  want 
to  mention.  One  is  that  your  Chaplain  Barker  mar 
ried  his  wife  here,  and  was  closely  associated  with  this 
town.  Your  Adjutant,  Charles  F.  Simmons,  was  a 
Concord  boy.  His  name  is  not  on  our  soldiers'  monu 
ment,  but  he  was,  none  the  less,  a  victim  of  the  war. 


76  THE  MELVIN  MEMORIAL 

He  died  while  he  was  at  sea  for  his  health,  and  techni 
cally,  perhaps,  he  did  not  die  in  the  war. 

I  want  to  thank  you  each  and  all.  If  ever  I  can  do 
anything  for  you  in  any  way,  count  me  one  of  your  num 
ber.  [Applause.] 

COMRADE  BRADLEY  :  —  In  half  an  hour  the  barges 
will  be  here  to  take  you  down.  I  hope  you  will  all  have 
an  opportunity  to  shake  hands  with  Comrade  Melvin 
before  you  go. 

This  closed  the  speechmaking  at  the  dinner.  Mem 
bers  of  the  regiment  were  then  taken  in  barges  to  view 
historic  spots  in  Concord,  afterwards  returning  to  Bos 
ton  in  special  cars  attached  to  the  regular  train  leaving 
shortly  after  five  o'clock.  Before  leaving  Concord  each 
Comrade  was  given  a  framed  photograph  of  the  monu 
ment  as  a  souvenir. 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 


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DIARY   OF   SAMUEL   MELVIN 

CAME  to  Fort  Warren  Monday  the  last  of  June  (1861). 
Left  Fort  Warren  Aug.  7,  Wednesday  night,  at  9  o'clock. 
Co.  left  Boston  and  got  to  Providence  at  4,  took  the  "Com 
modore"  for  New  York  at  12,  &  arrived  there  at  12.  Went 
to  barracks  &  took  breakfast,  then  went  on  a  tour  over  the 
city.  Got  a  revolver  at  277  Broadway  and  gave  $9-°°  boot. 
Went  over  the  ferry  to  Jersey,  then  to  Philadelphia.  Got 
there  at  4  &  went  to  the  saloon  for  breakfast.  Started  for 
Baltimore  at  6,  got  there  at  12.  Started  for  Washington  at 
4,  got  here  at  9.  Stopped  in  the  building  side  of  the  railroad. 
Started  for  Camp  Kalorama  in  a  shower  and  got  there  in 
about  4  hours.  Went  up  on  a  hill  and  lay  in  the  rain  all 
night.  Pitched  our  tents  and  stayed  one  week,  then  went 
to  Fort  Albany.  I  was  sick  —  lay  on  the  ground  just  a 
week  &  am  getting  better. 

Oct.  3.  —  Went  to  Washington  with  John.  Visited  the 
Capitol,  Patent  Office,  Smithsonian  Institution,  Navy 
and  War  Depts,  Treasury,  Post  Office,  and  the  White 
House. 

Oct.  16.  —  A  visit  from  Gov.  Andrew. 

Nov.  15. —  A  review  by  Gov.  Berry  of  N.  H. 

Nov.  20.  —  Went  to  a  grand  review  at  Kelly's  Cross 
Roads.  It  was  a  splendid  sight  of  Gen.  McClellan,  Presi 
dent  &  Staff.  There  were  90  regts.  of  infantry,  9  of  cavalry, 
&  20  batteries,  amounting  to  about  75,000. 


80  DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

Jan.  I,  1862.  —  Went  to  Washington  &  shook  hands 
with  the  President  at  his  reception. 

Mar.  13.  —  Went  to  the  city  &  got  things  for  my  electrical 
machine. 

Mar.  27. —  Got  marching  orders,  struck  our  tents  and  tore 
everything  to  pieces.  Fell  in  line  at  9.  The  orders  were 
countermanded,  then  we  went  as  orders  said  to  Ft.  Barnard, 
pitched  tents,  &  got  orders  to  come  back  to  Ft.  Albany. 
Such  a  blessing  as  Col.  gave  us  I  never  heard.1  Then  we 
fixed  the  barracks  &  pitched  tents  over  [near]  the  quar 
termaster's,  &  then  got  orders  to  go  in  Co.  H.  barracks. 
The  Col.  took  our  colors  away  from  us  and  gave  them  to 
us  again. 

April  17.  —  Got  paid  $24-°°.  Went  to  Arlington  House 
and  got  an  old  battery. 

April  19. —  Went  to  Washington  with  G.  D.  Hayes  & 
stopped  over  night.  Bought  an  old  battery  from  a  dealer. 
June  5.  —  Sent  to  Thomas  Hall  $22.09  for 
Key  $3.00 

Spring  Register  15-00 

2  Main  Batteries  3.24 

YZ  Ib.  mercury  .35 

Hall's  book  on  Telegraphy  .50 

$22.09 

Received  the  above  all  safe  June  16  with  the  present  of  a 
nice  book  from  Hall.  Also  [received]  the  express  bill,  $r°°, 
which  I  sent  the  i8th. 

1  The  colonel  was  a  West  Point  graduate,  and  very  strict.  He  was  angry 
with  the  men  for  destroying  the  barracks,  and  took  away  their  colors  as 
a  punishment,  till  they  entirely  repaired  the  damage. 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN  81 

Aug.  5.  —  Four  years  today  since  my  father  died.  .  .  . 
We  were  visited  by  President  Lincoln  at  Fort  Albany.  The 
boys  were  reviewed  by  him  at  Ft.  Ward.  Very  hot,  and 
many  boys  gave  out. 

On  the  night  of  the  ioth  some  rascal  stole  from  my 
pocket  everything  but  my  knife.  I  was  very  thankful  for 
him  to  leave  me  that.  The  pocket  book  contained  one  ten 
dollar  Treasury  note,  three  dollar  bills  on  the  Bull  Head 
bank,  &  200  in  change  besides  the  quarter  Caroline  gave 
me  in  1857,  2  rings  &  postage.  They  reached  in  the 
implement  room  window  &  took  it.  ...  Never  mind,  it 
is  all  for  the  country.  But  if  I  get  hold  of  the  man  he  will 
suffer  13  dollar's  worth  with  good  interest. 

Aug.  26.  —  Got  marching  orders.  Started  at  9  o'clock 
and  marched  some  5  miles,  and  lay  on  the  ground. 

Aug.  27.  —  Page  has  the  chills  and  I  am  afraid  he  can't 
march.  I  told  him  so,  but  he  does  n't  mind.  We  marched 
about  one  mile  into  a  fine  grove  where  we  rested.  Learned 
that  they  are  fighting  at  Manassas,  &  we  started  off.  Page 
had  gone  off  to  lie  down  &  I  looked  for  him  a  long  while. 
At  last  I  found  him  very  sick.  I  told  Lt.  Davis,  &  he  sent 
the  doctor.  The  doctor  says  Page  must  stay  where  [he]  is, 
on  the  ground.  I  thought  it  very  hard,  but  I  put  the  blanket 
over  him  &  with  great  sadness  bade  him  good-bye.  We 
marched  a  little  beyond  Fairfax  C.  H.,  halted,  &  flung  all 
our  knapsacks  in  a  pile.  We  were  all  every  way,  bayonets 
unfixed  &  guns  not  loaded  when  over  a  hill  we  saw  a  part  of 

a  battery  coming  like with  the  guerrillas  behind  them. 

We  all  ran  in  the  field  in  great  confusion,  loaded,  fixed 
bayonets,  &  ran  &  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  the  woods 


82  DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

where  we  now  are,  all  on  the  ground.  I  must  say  I  was 
sorry  to  leave  Page  behind.  Stayed  in  line  of  battle  all 
night  &  in  the  morning  (28th)  found  they  had  got  in  our 
rear  &  taken  Drs.  Mason  &  Dana  &  three  teams.  The 
doctors  were  released.  We  found  they  were  all  around  us 
&  we  must  fight,  so  we  prepared  for  the  best.  All  the 
teamsters  got  on  the  horses  to  disguise  [simulate  ?]  cavalry 
&  they  dare  not  attack  us.  Finally  our  company  went  on 
picket.  We  got  two  companies  of  cavalry.  We  found  there 
was  a  large  force  around  us  &  we  prepared  to  fight  our 
way  back  in  the  evening.  Our  company  was  rear  guard. 
We  got  through  all  safe  and  reached  Clouds  Mills  late  at 
night  &  took  our  old  tents.  We  lost  H.  Folsom.  Riley 
prisoner  also.  McClellan's  headquarters  are  within  a  few 
rods  of  us.  He  has  gone  and  we  have  orders  to  march,  no 
one  knows  where.  We  marched  by  Ft.  Albany,  over  in  the 
woods,  &  lay  on  the  ground  beyond  Ft.  Tillinghast. 

Sunday,  Aug.  31.  —  It  rains  and  here  we  are  at  Fort 
Albany,  home  again  &  settled  down. 

Sept.  I. --Things  are  very  lively  here.  It  looks  like 
Bull  Run.  The  valley  is  full  of  teams,  etc. 

Sept.  4.  —  All  of  Banks's  division  passed  by  on  the  way  to 
Harper's  Ferry.  There  is  a  string  of  them  as  far  as  the  eye 
can  see  in  every  direction.  The  road  is  full  of  troops  and 
wagons. 

Dec.  10. — Page  promoted  a  corporal.  .  .  . 

March  23, 1863.  —  Sent  to  T.  B.  Peterson  &  Bro.,  Phila 
delphia,  for  "  French  without  a  Master." 

Apr.  22.  —  Sent  to  Parsells  for  a  Craig  Microscope. 

May  30. —  Sent  to  Thomas  Hall  $18.70  for 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN  83 

6  Groves  Batteries  $12.00 
Silliman's  Chemistry  2.00 
Platers  i.oo 

2  Ibs.  copper  wire  2.50 

I  Ib.  mercury  .70 

july  3. —  Went  to  Ft.  Whipple  to  see  Lt.  Dow.  Was 
15  minutes  late  for  drill  and  was  incarcerated  and  kept 
until  the  next  morning,  when  I  was  released  from  durance. 
Sept.  19.  —  Visited  Dow  and  received  a  nice  present 
from  him  —  a  large  dictionary  —  which  I  shall  always 
prize  very  much. 

Sent  a  communication  to  the  Chronicle. 

Went  in  the  Hospital  Sept.  30  and  came  out  Oct.  10. 

Tues.  Oct.  Qth,  Bro.  John  went  in  the  hospital  sick  with 
the  dysentery.  I  was  in  the  hospital  at  the  time.  I  left  the 
hospital  the  next  morning.  He  was  very  sick.  Doctor  gave 
himopium  —  didnogood.  I  was  in  to  see  him  Sunday.  He 
was  asleep.  Did  not  wake  him.  In  to  see  him  next  morning, 
he  was  no  better.  I  saw  he  was  very  sick.  Went  in  at  noon 
&  he  was  no  better.  With  the  doctor's  permission  I  gave 
him  a  recipe  of  Hunters.  Took  it  all  the  afternoon  and 
night  every  y2  hour.  Did  no  good.  Next  morning,  Oct.  13, 
saw  he  could  not  live  long.  I  was  on  guard,  but  got  excused 
to  take  care  of  him.  In  the  afternoon  saw  there  was  no 
chance  for  him  to  get  well.  Spoke  about  sending  for  Caro 
line.  He  said  he  did  not  think  it  would  pay  under  the  cir 
cumstances.  He  told  me  the  last  letter  Mother  ever  wrote 
him  was  in  his  box.  He  wished  me  to  burn  the  rest  of  his 
letters.  The  doctor  spoke  to  him  about  dying,  but  he  did 


84  DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

not  say  much,  he  was  so  weak.  He  said  he  thought  there 
was  a  chance  for  him  to  get  well.  He  asked  for  the  Chap 
lain,  who  came  and  prayed.  Asa  was  present.  He  said  he 
wanted  me  to  stay  with  him  and  he  thought  I  ought  to  have 
the  privilege.  The  doctor  said  he  should  [have  me  with 
him].  The  doctor  told  me  he  could  not  live  until  noon.  I 
was  with  him  all  the  time.  Asa  Rowe  and  C.  B.  Foster  sat 
up  with  him.  He  failed  very  fast  from  the  middle  of  the 
afternoon  and  died  very  easy  at  last  at  n  o'clock  at  night. 

Friday,  Oct.  1 6, 1863.  —  ...  Got  John's  box  &  packed  his 
things,  burned  his  letters,  put  his  blanket,  dishes,  overcoat, 
etc.  in  his  box  to  wait  until  I  hear  from  the  folks.  .  .  . 
Gave  Asa  one  of  John's  rubber  blankets.  Went  to  see  Capt. 
Preston.  He  sent  $70  by  me  yesterday  to  settle  John's 
accounts. 

Wed.)  Oct.  28,  1863. —  .  .  .  Received  a  very  nice  diary 
from  Dow,  the  best  one  I  have  ever  seen.  Went  to  Reg't'l 
drill.  It  is  a  grand  and  sublime  scene  to  see  a  good  regi 
ment  well  dressed  march  along  and  keep  perfectly  in  line 
with  a  good  band,  and  Old  Va.  doth  fairly  tremble  at  the 
solid  and  firm  tread  of  citizen  soldiery. 

Sat.,  Oct.  31. —  Mustered  by  Colonel  Tannatt  for  2 
months'  pay.  I  noticed  there  was  no  John  H.  Melvin  as 
usual. 

Wed.,  Nov.  4,  1863.  —  Great  excitement  over  re-enlist 
ment.  I  did  not  [re-enlist]  nor  did  Page.  No  drill.  Page  &  I 
went  to  see  Dow  in  the  evening.  .  .  .  Rec'd  letter  from 
James  with  sprigs  from  Mother's  &  Father's  graves. 

Wed.,Nov.  n,  1863.  —  George  Cummings  went  home, 
also  some  others. 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN          85 

Tuesday,  Nov.  17. —  Packed  up  my  things,  big  book  and 
all,  put  John's  things  in  Hospital  tent.  Going  to  have  a  $50 
Thanksgiving  Dinner.  Rec'd  letter  from  Dow  offering  me 
a  College  Education. 

Wed.,  Nov.  1 8.  —  .  .  .  Moved  in  afternoon  to  Ft.  Craig. 
I  was  left  for  guard. 

Friday,  Nov.  20.  —  ...  Lt.  Hart,  adjt.,  detailed  me  in 
the  magazine.  Excused  from  all  duty  but  Sunday  inspec 
tion.  .  .  . 

Thursday,  Nov.  26. — This  is  Thanksgiving,  and  my 
principal  enjoyment  is  in  thinking  it  is  the  last  one  I  shall 
have  to  pass  in  the  Army. 

Tuesday,  Dec.  I.  —  Sent  letter  to  James.  ...  I  got  no 
sleep.  Went  to  bed,  but  could  not  sleep  in  Hell.  Got  a 
table,  just  what  I  wanted.  Have  got  my  library  out  on  it. 

Saturday,  Dec.  5.  —  Man  is  a  social  being,  and  rather  than 
be  alone  he  sometimes  chooses  [for  friends]  those  he  would 
not  in  social  life  at  home.  Yet  I  never  have  formed  friend 
ships  that  I  should  reject  at  home.  ...  I  was  in  a  contem 
plative  mood,  and  how  sweet  it  was  to  see  two  intimate 
friends  make  up  their  beds,  and  lie  down  in  close  and  sym 
pathetic  communion  there.  I  refer  to  S.  Holt  and  C.  Bur 
rows. 

Sat.,  Dec.  12. — Went  to  City  with  Dow;  had  a  good  time. 
Bought  Pope's  Works,  $1.25,  &  he  got  a  book  on  Mytho 
logy.  .  .  .  Filled  out  the  blank  application  &  G.  S.  C.  con 
gratulated  me  as  a  F.  &  A.  M.  .  .  . 

Thursday,  Dec.  17.  —  Rained  all  day,  did  nothing.  Wrote 
an  essay  on  Home.  Page  on  guard.  How  dreary  such 
weather  is !  This  is  emblematic  of  the  cloudy  days  of  life. 


86  DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

Friday ,  Dec.  1 8.  — Sent  essay  on  Home  to  Caroline. 

Sunday,  Dec.  20. —  Studied  Masonry.  .  .  .—    -&- 
played  cards.    I  thought  it  rather  rough  for  civilized  folks 
in  this  Age  of  Light. 

Friday,  Dec.  25. —  Today  is  Christmas.  Today  do  we 
commemorate  the  birth  of  our  Saviour.  Today  is  the  day 
for  presents,  but  I  have  none,  neither  do  I  give  any.  Dow 
said  he  gave  me  my  diary  for  a  Christmas  present,  so  I  have 
one  after  all.  .  .  . 

Monday,  Dec.  28.  —  Rained  all  day.  Went  to  a  dance,  but 
did  not  dance.  It  made  me  homesick  to  see  a  dance  going 
on.  Never  mind,  next  year  at  this  time,  if  nothing  happens, 
I  will  have  a  soft  time  then.  Rec'd  a  letter  from  James. 
Made  apple  sauce. 

Tuesday,  Dec.  29.  —  Wrote  a  letter  to  James,  &  had  along 
talk  with  Charles  Burrows  on  various  topics.  Charles  and 
Sam  are  two  good  boys,  and  I  hope  will  succeed  well  in  life. 

Wednesday,  Dec.  30.  —  Asa  went  to  city  and  got  his  pay  as 
a  Veteran  Vol.  —  $103.  .  .  .  John-  -  came  home  inebri 
ated.  Oh  what  demoralization  in  the  Army ! 

Thursday 
Dec.         3ist 

1863 

The  Old  Year 
is  Dying! 

Today  is  the  end  of  another  year.  The  trials  and  troubles 
of  another  year  are  over,  and  we  soon  emerge  on  another 
time.  With  what  emotions  and  impressions  does  the  old 
year  leave  us !  Here  is  a  fit  time  to  take  a  retrospective 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN          87 

view  of  the  old  year  and  see  if  we  are  living  as  we  should, 
and  to  decide  how  to  improve  our  time,  and  how  to  better 
live  in  the  future. 

The  past  year  has  brought  to  our  hallowed  circle  of  the 
family  a  serious  change.  The  old  year  of  '63  has  borne 
along  with  its  tide  two  of  our  beloved  family.  Soon  after  it 
came  in,  Feb.  7,  it  took  into  the  spirit  world  our  beloved 
Mother,  and  Bro.  John,  who  was  in  good  health  at  that 
time,  did  sorely  lament  her.  Alas !  the  Archangel  came  with 
the  old  year  and  summoned  him,  Oct.  13,  to  a  higher  sphere 
of  action.  They  have  expired  as  regards  this  mortal  exist 
ence,  and  now  the  old  year  is  trembling  on  the  verge  of  time 
before  taking  that  leap  in  the  dreamy  future  of  which  we 
know  so  little.  With  it  has  gone  Bro.  Berry,  one  who  was 
a  good  old  man  to  me,  and  one  [with]  whom  I  have  spent 
many  hours  of  pleasant  and  instructive  conversation.  But 
he  has  been  permitted  to  go  a  little  in  advance  of  us  all.  In 
conclusion  let  us  say  that  with  the  end  of  the  old  year,  when 
it  ceases,  we  will  cease  to  do  evil  and  learn  to  do  well.  .  .  . 

Dance  in  our  ambient-room,  facetiously  called  a  New 
Year's  Ball.  I  witnessed  it,  but  did  not  shake  the  hoof. 
Such  is  this  world,  —  one  man  finds  amusement  in  one 
thing,  and  another  in  something  else.  I  am  fond  of  dancing, 
think  it  is  a  very  pretty  amusement  when  it  is  conducted  on 
the  right  principles. 

Tonight  I  must  close  this  book,  which  I  bought  in  Wal- 
tham  in  1859.  I  have  not  put  many  things  down,  but  next 
year  I  shall  be  very  punctilious  and  note  [everything]  in 
my  new  diary,  which  was  a  Christmas  present  from  Dow. 
It  is  a  good  idea,  and  I  cannot  express  the  joy  it  afforded 


88  DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

me  in  looking  over  John's  [diary]  when  he  had  passed  to  the 
Summer  Land.  Perhaps  in  some  future  day,  after  I  shall 
have  passed  to  the  spirit  life,  some  one  may  take  as  much 
pleasure  in  looking  over  this.  Who  can  tell  ?  But  if  I  shall 
pass  away  ere  another  year,  't  is  all  for  the  best.  With  this 
little  remark  I  close  my  diary  for  1863,  leaving  it  to  the  fate 
of  time. 

Samuel  Melvin 
Co.  "K"  Ist.  Mass.  H.  A. 

Fort  Craig,  Va. 

Friday,  January  i,  1864.  —  Today  we  emerge  on  another 
New  Year.  The  Old  Year  has  departed,  it  has  gone  into 
eternity,  and  with  it  have  vanished  many  pleasant  reminis 
cences  and  many  fond  hopes.  Many  changes  has  it  wrought 
-  and  sad  ones,  too.  .  .  .  What  changes  the  year  will 
make  none  but  the  Omniscient  can  tell.  Where  will  I  be 
next  New  Year's  Day  ?  With  Dow  in  London,  I  hope. 

Saturday,  January  2,  1864.  — Today  is  very  cold  indeed, 
but  fair.  Yesterday  fifteen  recruits  came  for  Co.  K.  &  300 
for  the  First  Mass.  Some  of  them  look  like  fine  young  men, 
but  I  am  very  much  afraid  some  of  them  will  not  be  when 
they  have  been  soldiers  three  years.  Asa's  furlough  came 
and  he  starts  for  Concord  with  Mason.  .  .  . 

Sunday,  January  3,  1864.  — Went  on  inspection  —  my 
fingers  almost  froze.  .  .  .  Jan.  ist  Col.  Tannatt's  H.  Q. 
burned. 

Monday,  January  4,  1864.  —  Big  snow  storm,  the  first  of 
the  season.  Received  letters  from  -  — ,  James,  &  Caro 
line.  Caroline  wants  me  to  write  something  to  be  read  at 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN  89 

her  close  of  school  after  keeping  7  years,  and  Aunt  Wheeler 
wants  me  to  write  for  the  Boston  Journal.  I  guess  they 
think  me  quite  a  literary  character. 

Tuesday,  January  5,  1864.  — Wrote  a  long  letter  to  Caro 
line;  sent  her  Bro.  Berry's  acrostic  on  my  name.  .  .  .  Page 
is  sick  with  the  plaguy  shakes  again.  I  think  it  is  a  pity 
to  see  such  virtuous  men  suffer  so  much.  I  spilt  a  dipper  of 
coffee  on  Sergt.  Wallace's  head  tonight.  .  .  . 

Thursday,  January  7, 1864. —  .  .  .  Page  still  in  hospital. 
I  am  quite  lonely  without  him  to  eat  with  me.  Rather  poor 
boarding  now,  bread  and  coffee;  still  it  is  all  nature  re 
quires. 

Wednesday,  January  13, 1864.  -  -  ...  Asa  got  home  last 
Thursday.  Sergt.  went  to  Div.  H.  Q. 

Thursday,  January  14,  1864.  — Worked  all  day  packing 
up  ammunition  —  pretty  tired.  .  .  .  The  Major  came  in 
here  tonight  —  I  entertained  him  as  well  as  a  private 
could.  Received  from  Mrs.  Emery  one  half  of  the  biggest 
mince  pie  I  ever  saw. 

Monday,  January  18,  1864.  — .  .  .  Worked  all  the  after 
noon  on  Pat's  pistol;  put  in  a  new  spring.  He  gave  me  50 
cents  &  I  believe  that  this  is  the  first  money,  other  than 
my  pay,  that  I  have  earned  since  I  came  for  a  soldier. 

Tuesday,  January  19,  1864.  —  .  .  .  Very  bleak  and  cold. 
How  glad  I  am  to  be  so  finely  situated  beside  a  snug  fire, 
while  I  hear  the  wind  whistle  about  the  old  bomb-proof. . . . 
Pat  C.  took  my  watch  to  sell  —  I  am  surely  too  honest  to 
make  a  speculator.  What  an  appalling  catastrophe  in  Chili 
—  2000  human  souls  sent  to  the  other  world  in  1 1  minutes. 

Friday,  January  22, 1 864.  —  A  corporal  in  Co.  G.  stripped 


9o          DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

at  dress  parade  for  not  answering  Maj.  Rolfe  right.  Orders 
read  as  regards  boxes,  &c.  Every  man  is  allowed  a  box  in 
the  army.  Got  some  things  for  electroplating,  and  if  I  could 
get  enough  work  I  could  make  money  like  smoke.  Set  my 
battery  up  &  gave  the  Sergt  a  shock.  Went  to  bid  Gould 
good-bye,  his  discharge  came  to-day.  I  am  glad.  Studied 
Elect.,  Metallurgy,  Science. 

Monday,  January  25,  1864.  —  Plated  a  chain  for  John 
Welsh,  put  on  a  good  plate.  I  am  going  to  send  for  a  quart 
of  gold  solution  to  T.  Hall,  13  Bromfield  St.  My  battery 
works  first  rate.  Plated  a  hook  for  P.  Connors. 

Wednesday,  January  27,  1864.  — .  .  .  Sent  by  Handy  to 
T.  Hall  for  one  quart  gold  solution.  Handy  went  home  on  a 
furlough  of  30  days.  S.  B.  fixed  my  axe  on  for  me.  Bully 
for  him ! 

"Thursday,  January  28,  1864.  — .  .  .  Nothing  to  eat  but 
bread.  Rather  rough  living,  but  guess  I  can  stand  it. 

Friday,  January  29,  1864.  —  Plated  Page's  belt.  Corp. 
McKay  arrived  home  from  Lawrence.  .  .  .  Orders  read  on 
Parade  that  Sunday  morning  Inspection  will  be  Saturday 
at  10  o'clock.  That  is  the  most  sensible  order  I  ever  knew 
Tannatt  to  issue. 

Monday,  February  i,  1864.  —  Received  a  letter  from  Dow 
telling  me  to  look  with  good  cheer  5  months  ahead  to  the 
Metropolitan  Chambers  [London].  First  plated  a  chain  for 
Wheeler,  and  then  the  butt  of  a  pistol  for  the  sutler.  Am 
going  to  plate  the  barrel,  too.  Asa  came  back  from  his  fur 
lough. 

Tuesday,  February  2,  1864.  —  Order  read  on  Parade 
relieving  all  of  Tannatt's  staff  officers,  and  appointing 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN          91 

John  M.  Dow  to  act  as  Regt.  Adjutant.  Worked  all  day 
trying  to  plate  a  pistol  for  the  sutler;  got  all  discouraged. 
Tried  more  than  forty  times,  could  not  get  it  to  go. 

Wednesday,  February  3,  1864. —  Fussed  all  day  with  the 
sutler's  pistol.  It  won't  plate  a  bit.  I  never  saw  such  a  trial 
in  my  life. 

Thursday,  February  4, 1 864.  —  Page  gone  to  the  city.  Got 
Milton's  Paradise  Lost  for  200.  ...  I  worked  all  day  on 
the  pistol;  no  success.  I  am  about  distracted.  Made  two 
new  solutions;  no  success.  Broke  the  jar  of  one  of  my  bat 
teries,  and  thus  things  go.  Hobbs  can't  make  my  things 
work. 

Friday,  February  5,  1864.  —  Received  from  Mr.  Newman 
a  recommendation  for  almost  anything.  I  am  very  much 
pleased  with  it.  Worked  all  day  on  the  pistol,  but  it  is  no 
go  yet.  Don't  know  what  I  shall  do  with  the  plaguy  thing. 

Saturday,  February  6,  1864.  —  Fussed  with  the  pistol. 
Came  to  the  sublime  conclusion  that  the  battery  is  not 
strong  enough,  so  I  will  get  some  more  acid  and  try  that. 

Sunday,  February  J,  1864.  —  Put  on  citizen's  clothes  to 
see  how  I  would  look.  Did  not  know  myself.  Last  night  a 
train  ran  off  the  draw  at  Long  Bridge;  killed  several  and 
wounded  several.  ...  I  wish  I  was  a  citizen  and  could 
wear  the  clothes. 

Monday,  February  8,  1864.  —  Sent  to  the  city  for  one  Ib. 
of  nitric  acid.  Worked  on  the  old  pistol.  Great  signs  of 
success.  Set  up  three  of  my  batteries  and  I  guess  it  will  go 
now.  I  never  had  such  a  torment  in  my  life,  and  hope  I  never 
shall  again.  .  .  .  Asa  and  the  veterans  went  to  the  city  for 
their  ration  money ;  got  $5. 


92  DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

Tuesday,  February  9, 1864.  —  Finished  the  sutler's  pistol. 
He  paid  me  75  cts.  I  had  a  heap  of  trouble  with  it,  and 
poisoned  my  hand.  It  is  pretty  sore,  but  I  am  glad  to  get  the 
job  off  my  hands.  Think  I  almost  prefer  the  poison. 

Wednesday,  February  10,  1864.  — I  am  thinking  of  the 
short  duration  of  army  life.  I  wish  it  was  all  over  now,  and  I 
with  Dow  at  the  M.  C.  enjoying  ourselves  as  it  was  intended 
we  should.  But  I  am  of  good  cheer.  All's  for  the  best,  I 
guess.  I  am  trying  to  think  so  anyway. 

Thursday,  February  n,  1864. —  .  .  .  Ate  for  the  first  time 
in  our  mess  house.  Did  not  like  it  very  much.  .  .  .  Looked 
over  the  cartridges,  aired  the  primer  &  fuses.  Page  on 
guard,  S.  B.  ill,  and  so  things  go. 

Saturday,  February  13,  1864.  —  Visit  from  Mr.  Emery, 
quite  a  social  talk  with  him.  .  .  .  Did  not  do  much  today. 
Had  quite  a  discussion  about  the  Blarney  Stone.  I  said  there 
was  such  a  stone,  they  said  there  was  not,  but  I  think  I  will 
go  and  see  for  myself  soon. 

Wednesday,  February  17,  1864. —  .  .  .  It  is  mighty  cold, 
coldest  weather  of  the  winter.  The  guard  house  got  on  fire. 
.  .  .  Page  on  guard.  I  must  sleep  alone.  Am  afraid  I  will 
sleep  cold. 

Thursday,  February  18,  1864.  — .  .  .  Bomb-Proof  got  on 
fire  last  night.  The  men  got  up  in  the  middle  of  the  night 
to  extinguish  it,  which  they  did  at  last.  It  is  awful  cold. 

Friday,  February  19,  1864. — .  .  .  Inspection  by  Maj. 
Rolfe.  He  took  a  great  shine  to  my  library.  Told  Shatswell 
I  was  a  well  versed  fellow.  Shatswell  says,  "Yes,  he  is  a 
good  boy."  Bully  for  him! 

Saturday,  February  20,  1864.  — .  .  .  Went  to  Handy's  & 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN          93 

got  a  bottle  of  gold  solution.  It  is  mighty  small.  Charles 
spent  the  evening  in  here,  and  S.  B.  &  Page.  Tried  some 
gold  leaf  with  my  acid ;  no  effect.  Put  a  shelf  up  for  my 
apparatus.  It  looks  much  better. 

Sunday,  February  21,  1864. --Tried  my  gold  solution. 
Did  not  dilute  it  and  it  did  not  go  at  all.  Wrote  to  Hall  to 
know  about  it,  but  found  my  mistake  through  Handy,  so 
guess  I  am  all  right.  Heard  good  words  from  Thomas  Hall. 
I  am  pretty  tired,  but  there  is  rest  for  the  weary. 

Monday,  February  22,  1864.  —  Pay  Rolls  came,  signed 
them.  Plated  a  watch  for  Pat.  Solution  worked  first  rate. 
Mixed  my  gold  solution  and  tried  it.  It  does  not  work  very 
well,  but  guess  it  will  after  a  while. 

Monday,  February  29,  1864.  — .  .  .  Today  is  the  last  of 
the  old  winter,  and  one  more  muster  will  muster  us  where 
we  wish  to  be  — in  civil  life.  The  Co.  received  marching 
orders.  No  one  knows  where  they  are  going. 

Tuesday,  March  I,  1864.  — .  .  .  Got  a  letter  from 
Thomas  Hall  giving  me  advice  on  plating.  Tried  it  and  it 
goes  first  rate.  How  glad  I  am ! 

Thursday,  March  10,  1864.  —  Rained  all  day.  Plated 
three  or  four  chains,  etc.,  which  took  first  rate.  Tried  my 
gold  again,  but  it  is  no  go,  it  is  very  dark. 

Monday,  March  14,  1864.  — Took  an  account  of  all  the 
stuff  here.  Last  night  orders  read  on  parade  that  we  are 
to  be  frequently  called  up  in  the  night.  I  am  glad  they  can't 
call  me  up  but  three  months  longer. 

Tuesday,  March  15,  1864.  —  Greased  all  the  heavy  guns. 
A  detail  of  40  men  went  to  Ft.  Strong  to  work  on  a  road. 
Orders  came  for  us  to  go  to  Ft.  Tillinghast  tomorrow  morn- 


94  DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

ing.  I  asked  them  if  I  should  go.  They  say  not  until  the 
Sergt.  comes  back.  ...  I  am  very  sorry  our  Co.  is  going. 

Wednesday,  March  1 6,  1864.--  .  .  .  The  Co.  went  to 
Tillinghast  today.  I  stay  here  until  the  Sergt.  gets  back, 
and  am  assigned  to  Co.  F.  Today  we  made  a  splendid 
raid  and  got  three  full  barrels  of  wood.  It  was  very  suc 
cessful,  considering  the  blood  that  was  spilt.  I  don't  like 
to  go  to  Tillinghast  very  much. 

Saturday,  March  19,  1864.  — Great  excitement,  the  Rebs 
expected.  I  got  three  extra  men  and  everything  ready. 
Co.  F.  came  in  the  fort  and  stopped  all  night.  All  lay  on 
their  arms. 

Tuesday,  March  22,  1864.  — Great  snow  storm  for  this 
time  of  year.  ...  So  awful  cold  we  did  not  do  much,  but 
kept  a  good  fire. 

Wednesday, March  23, 1864.  — ...  Had  4  Corps.,  I  Sergt., 
&  25  men  report  to  me  to  shovel  snow.  One  in  Co.  F.  felt 
grieved,  but  I  could  not  help  his  case  any. 

Thursday,  March  24,  1864. — .  .  .  They  shoveled  snow 
out  of  the  fort  all  day.  Worked  on  the  two  Parrott  guns. 

Friday,  March  25,  1864.  —  O  it  is  an  awful  rainy  night! 
All  I  can  say  is  I  do  thank  my  stars  that  I  am  not  on  guard. 
Tried  my  revolving  magnet.  Had  a  discussion  on  things 
in  general  &  got  pretty  rily.  Don't  think  much  of  the  feel 
ing  any  way. 

Wednesday, March  30, 1 864.  —  Rained  an d  snowed  all  day. 
Went  to  see  Page  in  evening.  Things  go  very  well  indeed. 
I  wish  we  could  have  better  weather,  it  is  so  much  more 
pleasant,  and  I  want  to  get  things  looking  well  before  the 
Sergt.  gets  back. 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN          95 

Saturday,  April  2,  1864.  —  Sergt.  came  home  about  i 
o'clock  all  right.  Came  in  very  sudden,  we  did  not  expect 
him  quite  so  soon.  He  is  not  very  well.  .  .  .  Sergt.  gave  me 
a  nice  hat,  which  I  will  keep  very  choice.  Mr.  Emery  gave 
me  a  mammoth  half  of  one  of  Mrs.  Emery's  pies.  Thank 
Mrs.  Emery  for  it.  Hope  I  will  see  her  some  time,,  then  I 
can  thank  her  myself. 

Sunday,  April  3,  1864.  —  Sergt.  went  to  the  Maj.  to  get 
me  to  stay  with  him,  but  could  not  get  me,  so  at  night  S.  & 
C.  B.  came  with  me  and  I  came  and  reported  to  our  Co. 
Left  most  of  my  things  with  the  Sergt.  .  .  .  Don't  like 
this  place  much,  but  with  Page  guess  I  can  get  along.  93 
days  left. 

Monday,  April  4,  1864. — Slept  last  night  with  Page. 
Got  up  in  the  morning  and  washed  in  a  mud  puddle. 
Don't  think  much  of  this  fort  or  anything  around  it. 

Tuesday,  April  5, 1864. — On  picket  last  night  and  I  came 
near  freezing.  Sergt.  Boardman  with  us,  and  we  came  in  at 
2  o'clock.  I  did  enjoy  turning  in,  I  tell  you. 

Friday,  April  8,  1864. — .  .  .  Order  for  60  men  from  each 
Co.  on  fatigue;  good  for  the  veterans,  but  not  for  me.  Had 
an  infantry  drill  in  the  afternoon,  the  first  I  have  drilled 
in  6  months.  I  did  not  see  as  I  was  any  greener  than  the 
rest  of  them. 

Saturday,  April  9,  1864.  — On  guard,  and  it  is  a  very 
wet,  stormy  day,  and  I  do  not  feel  well  at  all.  Think  I 
should  not  stand  it  had  I  not  been  out  of  the  Co.  so  much. 
Today  is  my  birthday,  20  years  today.  When  I  am  20  more 
I  will  be  quite  old,  will  I  not  ? 

Tuesday,  April  12,  1864.  —  On  fatigue  as  usual,  on  the 


96          DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

roads  today.  Old  guard  fired  in  the  afternoon.  Had  a 
chat  with  Maj.  Holt.  He  gave  me  quite  a  compliment; 
said  he  would  rather  have  me  for  an  Ord.  Sergt.  than  a  cer 
tain  one  at  Tillinghast.  So  far,  so  good. 

Thursday,  April  14,  1864.  —  The  sentence  of  some  of  the 
prisoners  read.  One  fellow  got  8  years  in  the  penitentiary; 
quite  a  sentence. 

Monday,  April  18,  1864. — Studied  Natural  Philosophy 
as  usual.  Asked  for  a  pass  to  Washington. 

"Tuesday,  April  19,  1864. — On  fatigue  as  usual.  .  .  . 
George  Davis  said  he  would  like  to  go  to  England  with 
me.  If  I  were  not  engaged  I  think  I  might  like  to  go  with 
him.  Studied  Philosophy  with  Hills. 

Wednesday,  April  20,  1864.  — Read  the  Encyclopaedia, 
learned  some  new  facts  about  Philosophy  which  I  was  glad 
to  learn.  Butter  has  gone  up  to  60  cts.  That  is  rough,  I 
think,  for  a  soldier  to  pay.  .  .  . 

Wednesday,  April  27, 1864.  — Very  sudden  change  in  the 
weather,  cold  towards  morning.  Asa  is  sick,  excused  by 

the  surgeon,  post  parade.  S put  in  the  guard  house 

for  making  a  mistake  on  parade. 

"Thursday,  April  28,  1864.  —  E—  -  ran  away  from  the 
guard.  They  started  for  him  &  some  of  Shepard's  cavalry 
caught  him  and  brought  him  back  and  made  a  spread 
eagle  of  him.  Orders  came  for  us  to  draw  our  camp  and 
garrison  equipage.  This  looks  like  moving,  sure. 

Saturday,  April  30,  1864.  —  Inspection  and  muster  by 
Col.  Tannatt.  Rec'd  Silliman's  Philosophy.  It  is  first  rate. 
I  am  much  pleased  with  it. 

Wednesday,  May  4,  1864.  — Came  off  guard  this  morn- 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN          97 

ing  &  slept  most  all  of  the  forenoon  after  washing  and  shav 
ing.  Went  on  fatigue  at  2  P.  M.  .  .  .  Wrote  to  Prof.  Benj. 
Silliman,  Yale  College,  New  Haven,  Conn.  ...  I  like  that 
kind  of  correspondence  better  than  the  silly  newspaper  gush. 

Friday,  May  6,  1864.  —  Battalion  drill  in  the  afternoon, 
2]^  hrs.  Pretty  hard  for  the  first  time.  .  .  .  Order  from  Gen. 
Meade  to  his  army  preparatory  to  a  general  movement. 

Saturday,  May  7,  1864.  — News  of  the  terrible  battle  that 
is  going  on  in  the  Army  of  the  Union  [Potomac].  How 
earnestly  the  eyes  of  a  gratified  country  are  looking  to  the 
Army  for  a  good  victory,  and  how  sure  the  soldiers  are  of 
doing  them  justice. 

Sunday,  May  8,  1864. — Inspected  as  usual.  I  am  on 
the  tables.  Beans  poor.  .  .  .  Good  news  from  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac.  .  .  . 

Tuesday,  May  10,  1864.  — Got  excused  at  6  from  guard 
and  went  to  Ft.  Craig  for  Emery  and  we  went  over  to  the 
city.  Had  a  very  good  time.  I  shall  not  go  again  until  I 
am  discharged.  Sent  in  my  card  to  Sen.  Wilson,  asking 
him  for  a  McClellan  report.  He  sent  out  one  all  done  up. 
Wednesday,  May  1 1,  1864.  —  Rec'd  letters  from  Caro 
line  and  Angie.  James  is  sick  with  the  scarlet  fever. 

Thursday,  May  12,  1864.  —  Rained,  not  much  fatigue  in 
the  forenoon.  Drilled  in  the  p.  M.  in  a  heavy  rain.  It  is 
great,  I  think.  Got  our  guns  as  wet  as  can  be.  .  .  .  Page 
is  on  picket.  I  am  sorry,  but  suppose  he  is  good  for  it. 
Studied  surveying  with  Hills.  Like  it  first  rate.  Good  news 
from  the  Army. 

Friday,  May  13,  1864.  —  Rained  all  day.  No  drill  nor 
fatigue,  only  I  got  detailed  in  the  fort  to  cap  the  ammuni- 


98          DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

tion.  Got  through  after  dark.  .  .  .  Good  news  from  the 
Army.  .  .  . 

Saturday,  May  14,  1864.  —  Orders  for  us  to  move.  I  am 
on  guard  as  usual.  Everybody  is  packed  up.  I  got  excused 
and  went  down  to  Ft.  Craig  and  packed  up  my  things, 
marked  them  for  James  and  left  them  in  charge  of  Sergt. 
Hayes.  Wrote  to  Caroline.  .  .  .  We  are  going  now  into 
rough  usage,  I  guess,  but  let  it  come.  But  if  we  go,  I 
should  like  to  return. 

Sunday,  May  15,  1864.  —  We  left  the  fort  at  12,  took  the 
boat  at  Alexandria]  at  4,  ran  down  to  the  mouth  of  the 
creek  and  anchored  until  morning.  It  rained  as  hard  as  it 
could  until  we  got  to  A->  and  we  got  as  wet  as  we  could. 

Monday,  May  16,  1864.  —  Landed  at  Potomac  Creek, 
marched  up  on  a  high  hill  and  pitched  our  tents.  I  slept 
first  rate  with  Page.  We  got  some  potatoes  and  pork  and 
made  quite  a  good  supper.  .  .  .  Dow  is  A.  A.  G.  and  I  am 
a  high  private.  Some  of  the  boys  wrote  home.  Ain't  this 
a  gay  romantic  life  ? 

Tuesday,  May  17,  1864. — Started  from  Belle  Plain 
about  7  o'clock,  marched  through  Fredericksburg  to  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac.  It  was  an  awful  march,  but  we  stood 
it  first  rate.  It  was  rough  at  first.  Slept  near  the  front  all 
alone.  Page  &  Hills  are  on  the  color  guard.  Heard  firing, 
and  it  looks  like  hot  work.  Some  of  the  boys  wrote  home, 
but  I  did  not.  This  is  a  rough  life,  and  one  that  I  do  not 
like,  but  I  shall  stand  it  like  a  man. 

Wednesday,  May  18,  1864.  —  Slept  on  the  ground,  don't 
know  where  it  was.  Did  not  sleep  with  Page  and  felt  very 
cold.  Started  early  in  the  morning  for  Hancock's  right. 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN          99 

Stopped  in  the  valley  until  about  10.  Two  shells  came  over 
among  us  and  we  started  for  the  left.  Saw  lots  of  wounded, 
and  s^awthe  Drs.  cutting  them  up.  Saw  one  corpse  lying  in 
the  road.  It  looks  mighty  rough.  Rained  in  the  P.  M. 
Pitched  camp  &  stopped  all  night.  Slept  well.  Rained  all 
night;  kept  dry.  I  expect  an  awful  battle  [was  fought?] 
today.  We  were  in  hearing  of  it  all  day. 

Thursday,  May  19,  1864.  —  Struck  our  tents  about  noon, 
marched  on  quick  time  down  a  hill,  then  countermarched, 
lay  on  a  hill,  then  went  down  and  our  battalion  went  after 
the  Rebs.  The  fire  was  awful.  I  was  taking  Boardman 
to  the  rear.  I  had  to  leave  him,  and  I  saw  the  Rebs  be 
hind  me.  I  surrendered.  They  did  not  fire,  after.  I  got  a 
horse  to  ride,  and  the  provost  guard  took  me.  I  could  not 
wish  to  be  better  treated.  I  slept  rough,  but  was  truly 
thankful  for  my  treatment.  Sold  my  coffee  for  Conf.  scrip. 

Friday,  May  20,  1864.  —  Slept  on  some  rails,  tough.  The 
guard  took  me  to  the  prisoners'  camp.  Slept  all  day.  At 
night  I  was  very  much  gratified  upon  the  arrival  of  Rowe 
&  Handy,  and  we  staid  up  most  all  night.  Rather  small 
rations,  but  the  Rebs  give  us  as  good  as  they  can.  I  will 
be  glad  when  this  cruel  war  is  over,  but  it  must  be  fought 
to  the  bitter  end.  Saw  Gen'l  Lee.  We  are  treated  with 
great  kindness  by  our  captors.  I  am  glad  if  our  time  is  well 
spent,  both  to  ourselves,  our  country,  and  our  God. 

Saturday,  May  21,  1864. — No  rations  all  day.  Marched 
all  day,  started  early,  did  not  rest  nor  have  anything  to 
eat.  It  was  indeed  truly  painful.  Got  to  a  little  brook, 
piled  down  on  the  ground  for  the  night.  It  was  7  miles 
from  Beaver  Dam,  and  such  is  the  life  of  a  prisoner  in 


ioo         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

the  hands  of  the  Rebels,  but  "while  there  is  life  there  is 
hope."  Here  we  are,  Sunday  morning,  &  how  good  some 
beans  would  go,  such  as  we  had  last  Sunday.  But  the  time 
is  not  far  distant,  I  hope  &  trust,  when  we  can  reap  the 
rewards  of  life. 

Sunday,  May  22,  1864.  —  Started  on  our  journey  early  in 
the  morning  without  anything  to  eat.  They  did  not  march 
us  very  hard.  Got  down  to  the  railroad  about  3  o'clock, 
there  we  waited  a  long  time.  The  guards  were  everlast 
ingly  kind  to  me.  The  station  was  on  the  V.  C.  R.  R.,  45 
miles  from  R.  Went  to  Gordonsville,  got  here  about  11 
o'clock.  Turned  in  an  old  barn,  got  i  pint  of  meal  and  2 
oz.  of  pork,  all  we  have  had  since  Friday  morning,  and 
after  marching  35  and  riding  40  miles. 

Monday,  May  23,  1864.  —  Left  Gordonsville  about  noon. 
Rode  on  a  platform  car  to  Lynchburg,  90  miles.  It  was 
tough,  but  we  stood  it.  The  most  we  had  to  eat  was  cinders 
from  the  engine.  We  got  in  Lynchburg  about  9  o'clock, 
marched  about  I  mile  to  camp,  &  turned  in  with  the  blue 
canopy  of  Heaven  for  our  shelter,  as  usual.  We  passed  the 
Blue  Ridge.  It  is  a  beautiful  country,  but  not  well  culti 
vated.  I  shall  be  glad  when  we  get  to  our  journey's  end, 
where  we  can  get  something  to  eat. 

Tuesday,  May  24,  1864.  — Stopped  at  the  camp  all  day. 
Had  a  smart  shower,  which  wet  us  some.  Got  some  rations. 
I  ate  quite  hearty  for  a  prisoner,  and  I  felt  like  a  new 
man  altogether.  I  never  knew  what  it  was  to  be  hungry 
before.  I  was  so  weak  I  could  hardly  stand.  Oh  how  good 
a  good  meal  would  taste,  such  as  I  could  get  at  home, 
but  I  must  not  dote  on  such  things  now.  Some  bread  for 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         101 

sale  in  camp  for  $i  a  very  small  loaf.  Very  high.  I  did 
not  buy  any.  Asa  Rowe  was  sick,  but  is  some  better. 

Wednesday,  May  25,  1864. — Stopped  as  usual  at  the 
prisoners'  camp.  This  is  surely  mighty  dull.  I  sleep  all 
day.  The  boys  wrote  home  by  flag  of  truce.  They  bring 
bread  down  to  sell  for  $i  an  ounce;  rather  tough.  Some 
more  prisoners  arrived.  I  hope  they  will  start  us  for  Ga. 
today.  Don't  I  wish  I  could  see  Page  &  Dow?  Don't  I 
wish  I  could  stop  in  some  of  our  New  England  farmhouses 
and  get  a  cup  of  milk  ?  But  never  mind,  I  am  looking  forth 
with  strong  anticipations  for  our  time  of  exchange;  then 
it  will  be  like  a  new  Heaven  for  me  and  my  comrades. 

Thursday,  May  26,  1864.  —  Just  one  week  today  since  I 
was  taken  prisoner.  A  strange,  eventful  week  it  has  been, 
too.  I  stayed  around  camp  all  day,  nothing  of  importance 
transpiring.  Had  a  smart  shower  towards  night;  wet  us 
some,  but  we  got  through  it.  ...  How  strange  a  position 
we  are  in  here.  We  are  deprived  of  every  solitary  comfort  of 
life,  excepting  thinking.  That,  no  man  can  deprive  us  of. 
How  glad  [we  will  be]  when  we  are  released. 

Friday,  May  27, 1 864.  —  Slept,  or  lay,  very  cold  last  night. 
Got  up  very  early  &  cooked  our  rice.  Just  got  it  done  when 
orders  came  to  pack  up  and  be  off.  Started  about  6  o'clock 
from  Lynchburg  for  Danville,  packed  in  some  box  cars. 
It  is  about  150  miles  and  it  took  us  24  hours.  Got  to  Dan 
ville  Sat.  morning.  What  a  painful  night  we  passed !  No 
sleep,  no  place  to  lie  down,  nor  scarcely  to  stand.  No  ra 
tions,  and  I  think  that  Jordan  is  a  hard  road  to  travel. 

Saturday,  May  28,  1864.  —  Arrived  in  Danville,  went  to 
the  prison  (a  tobacco  warehouse).  There  I  slept  until  most 


102         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

night,  then  I  went  and  washed,  and  about  5  o'clock  we  got 
a  splendid  ration  of  boiled  ham  and  corn  cake  just  from 
the  oven.  It  was  beautiful,  and  I  ate  very  heartily,  and 
felt  like  a  new  man  altogether.  Got  another  ration  at  night, 
of  corn  cake,  and  started  in  the  cars  for  Georgia.  Danville 
is  quite  a  town  for  the  sweet  sunny  South.  I  wish  we  could 
have  stayed  there  one  night,  and  got  rested. 

Sunday,  May  29, 1864.  —  After  riding  all  night  and  until 
10  o'clock  the  next  day,  in  a  little  box  car,  with  66  of  us 
in  it,  with  no  sleep  nor  chance  to  sleep,  we  got  to  Greens 
boro,  N.  C.,  a  distance  of  48  miles.  We  came  over  a  new 
military  road.  Then  we  got  packed  as  thick  as  ever,  in  a 
hog  car,  all  manure.  Where  they  will  take  us  to  I  do  not 
know,  but  they  say  "It  is  good  enough  for  the  Yanks!" 
Rode  over  the  N.  C.  R.  until  eight  the  next  morning,  when 
we  arrived  at  Charlotte.  We  rode  at  a  very  swift  pace,  but 
not  too  fast  to  suit  me,  for  I  want  to  get  to  my  place  of  des 
tination. 

Monday,  May  30,  1864.  —  Arrived  at  Charlotte,  N.  C., 
about  daybreak,  where  we  got  2  days'  rations,  consisting 
of  7  hardtack  and  a  small  lot  of  bacon.  We  stopped  until 
the  next  morning,  then  we  started  on  the  box  cars  for  Au 
gusta.  We  slept  quite  well,  got  some  leaves  and  put  our 
blankets  over  us.  Such  is  the  life  of  a  prisoner  of  war.  How 
I  wish  I  was  in  Boston  with  Dow,  both  free  men!  But 
never  mind,  we  shall  enjoy  ourselves  so  much  the  better 
when  we  do  get  home.  I  do  think  that  we  shall  get 
exchanged  by  the  4th  of  July.  If  not,  may  the  Powers 
help  us! 

Tuesday,  May  31,    1864. — After   riding  all  day  and 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN          103 

until  ii  at  night  we  arrived  at  Columbia,  S.  C.,  where  we 
were  kept  in  the  cars  until  morning.  Got  mighty  hungry 
this  time,  and  we  went  mighty  slow  from  6  in  the  morning 
until  1 1  at  night,  going  98  miles.  Today  is  the  last  day  of 
May,  making  our  time  of  enlistment  very  short,  but  I  am 
very  much  afraid  that  our  time  will  not  expire  then.  But 
how  I  do  long  for  the  time  to  come  when  we  can  be  once 
more  men  and  not  beasts.  But  it  is  for  our  Country,  and  we 
must  be  willing  to  sacrifice  the  personal  for  the  general 
good. 

Wednesday,  June  i,  1864.  — Got  some  rations  about  noon 
and  we  were  hungry  enough  to  have  them  taste  good. 
Started  about  I  o'clock  for  Augusta.  Met  with  an  accident, 
two  cars  ran  off  the  track.  The  men  jumped  off,  and  one 
of  our  men  was  killed,  one  had  both  legs  broken,  and  many 
others  were  wounded.  This  is  the  first  railroad  accident  I 
was  ever  in.  One  of  our  men  was  shot  through  both  feet 
by  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  musket.  How  sad  to  think 
of  the  poor  fellows  so  far  away  from  home  and  kindred, 
to  be  so  suddenly  killed  or  severely  wounded !  We  got  to 
Augusta  about  daybreak,  where  we  crossed,  I  expect,  the 
Savannah  River. 

Thursday,  June  2,  1864.  — After  staying  in  Augusta  until 
about  3  P.  M.  and  drawing  rations,  off  we  went  for  Ameri- 
cus,  our  destination.  We  were  almost  starved  when  I  got 
6  good  loaves  of  soft  bread  for  a  silver  half.  Gave  one  to 
each  of  us  and  it  tasted  good  indeed.  Then  we  ate  our 
ration  of  corn  cake,  for  it  was  growing  stale  fast.  After 
getting  all  of  that  in  us  we  felt  once  more  something  like 
ourselves.  We  had  a  good  car  and  a  good  place  in  it  and 


io4         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

rode  very  well.  I  should  like  to  hear  from  Dow  and  be  re 
leased  from  durance. 

Friday,  June  3, 1864.  — Arrived  at  Macon  in  the  morning. 
It  was  quite  a  place.  After  travelling  until  noon  we  ar 
rived  at  our  camp  Winder,  Andersonville,  Ga.,  where  we 
were  driven  in  next  to  the  swamp.  But  Asa  [Rowe]  & 
[George]  Handy  bought  a  little  lot  on  the  hill  for  $4.50. 
I  was  very  much  pleased,  for  it  is  so  much  healthier.  The 
camp  contains  about  6  acres.  Capt.  Wirz  commands. 
Wrote  to  Caroline  *  for  a  box,  as  did  the  most  of  our  boys. 
Wrote  to  Dow  also.  I  hope  the  letters  will  go  through,  but 
I  am  afraid  it  will  be  a  long  time  ere  we  get  an  answer. 
O  dear  me ! 

Saturday,  June  4,  1864.  —  It  rained  most  all  day  &  we 
fared  rather  tough.  Still  we  managed  to  live  through  it. 
Drew  our  rations  late  at  night,  some  peas.  Handy  bought 
a  rubber  blanket  for  $5,  which  added  much  to  our  com 
fort.  It  is  sad  to  see  them  carry  the  dead  by  into  the  dead 
house,  a  continual  train  of  them  all  the  time.  How  I  hope 
that  I  shall  live  through  it  and  be  permitted  to  enjoy  the 
true  fruition  of  my  life,  which  I  have  put  so  much  confi 
dence  in  and  placed  such  bright  anticipations  upon !  Still, 
if  I  die  here  I  am  sure  that  we  shall  die  in  a  good  cause, 
although  in  a  brutal  way. 

Sunday,  June  5,  1864.  —  Here  we  are  in  the  same  old  pen. 
We  fixed  our  habitation  some  and  made  it  somewhat  better. 
But  then,  O  Lord!  Hasten  our  release!  Only  think,  if  we 

1  This  letter  evidently  came  into  our  lines  without  unnecessary  delay, 
as  it  was  postmarked  at  City  Point  early  in  July,  but  for  some  unknown 
reason  was  not  delivered  until  January,  1865. 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         105 

were  at  the  forts  just  one  short  month  from  today  we  should 
be  honorably  discharged.  But  how  I  regret,  how  I  sigh  to 
think  of  our  deplorable  condition.  Still  men  have  lived 
through  rougher  scenes  than  this,  and  if  I  take  good  care  of 
myself,  am  very  hopeful.  But  't  is  sad  to  see  the  dead  go 
out,  100  per  day.  I  have  been  a  little  ill,  the  beans  gave 
me  a  very  bad  state  of  the  stomach,  but  I  think  I  shall  be 
better  tomorrow.  We  look  to  our  condition  at  the  forts  with 
as  much  joy  as  when  there  we  did  for  a  discharge,  and 
more  too. 

Monday,  June  6, 1864.  — The  same  as  usual.  Staid  in  our 
humble  dwelling  most  of  the  time.  It  is  such.  It  is  life, 
and  that  is  all.  My  stomach  felt  very  much  better,  and  I 
am  very  thankful  indeed.  Asa  Rowe  is  in  a  bad  state, 
and  we  are  all  in  a  deplorable  condition,  still  I  guess  that 
by  being  very  prudent  we  will  all  get  through  it.  There  are 
millions  of  reports  in  camp  relative  to  parole  &  exchange. 
I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  we  will  be  exchanged 
when  the  summer  campaign  is  over,  which  I  hope  and 
trust  will  be  in  about  three  months  after  my  time  is  out. 

Tuesday,  June  7,  1864.  —  Awful  hot  in  the  A.  M.  but  we 
had  a  very  cool  shower  in  the  p.  M.,  which  would  have  been 
very  desirable  had  we  had  a  good  shelter.  We  managed  to 
get  a  pint  of  rice  for  my  40  cts.  and  it  went  first  rate  and 
made  me  feel  better.  We  are  having  good  reports  from  our 
Army  but  can't  believe  any  of  them.  There  seem  to  be 
no  signs  for  an  exchange  at  all  until  the  summer  cam 
paign  is  over,  and  I  hope  that  will  end  with  the  downfall 
of  Richmond.  My  stomach  has  got  regulated  once  more 
&  I  feel  encouraged.  My  whole  thoughts  are  on  the  joy 


io6         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

we  will  have  when  we  get  in  sight  of  our  little  starry  ban 
ner.  O  how  I  would  like  to  see  it  once  more ! 

Wednesday,  June  8,  1864.  —  Stopped  as  usual  in  our  old 
shanty.  The  day  was  quite  oppressive,  but  toward  night  it 
was  more  salubrious.  We  drew  raw  rations  and  no  wood, 
but  by  the  kindness  of  Handy  we  had  a  little  wood.  Sold 
our  rations  of  meat  for  a  pint  of  rice,  which  Asa  and  I  ate 
to  grand  advantage  because  it  is  so  easily  digested.  I  made 
a  grand  raid  and  got  a  big  plate  of  cooked  rice  which  did 
us  "roots"  While  trying  to  make  the  first  one  we  were 
fired  upon  by  the  quartermaster;  no  one  hurt.  A  new  squad 
of  recruits  came  from  Charleston.  I  am  feeling  first  rate 
today  and  begin  to  feel  quite  encouraged.  All  of  us  are 
convalescent,  I  believe. 

'Thursday,  June  9,  1864. — The  first  sound  of  humanity 
reached  our  ears  this  morning  in  an  order  allowing  us  to 
go  for  wood  if  we  take  our  oath  not  to  escape.  The  pre 
lude  was,  "Wishing  to  do  all  in  our  power  to  alleviate  the 
sufferings  of  prisoner's  life."  Asa  &  I  ate  our  rice  and  as 
usual  it  was  good.  We  talked  of  getting  our  ration  of  meat 
turned  into  molasses,  which  we  can  do  by  giving  $2  a  quart 
for  the  latter.  Drew  cooked  rations.  Learned  from  a  re 
liable  prisoner  that  Butler  is  relieved  from  the  exchange 
commission  &  Smith  is  in  his  place.  That  is  good,  the  first 
bright  star  that  we  have  seen  since  our  imprisonment. 
Feel  first  rate  but  weak. 

Friday,  June  10,  1864.  —  Things  go  on  about  the  same 
way.  Had  a  small  bannock  for  breakfast.  At  night  we  got 
a  little  molasses  and  made  some  mush.  It  went  first  rate 
and  set  well.  Our  squad  got  raw  rations  and  no  wood.  We 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         107 

sold  our  meat  and  got  quite  a  fund.  Molasses  is  $8  a  gallon 
&  butter  $4  per  pound.  Little  did  I  ever  think  I  would 
pay  such  prices.  Handy,  Asa,  &  I  entered  partnership. 
Handy  is  Treasurer.  My  principal  thoughts  and  hopes 
and  fears  are  that  my  friend  Dow  will  get  killed  or  not  be 
able  to  fulfill  his  promises  with  me. 

Saturday,  June  11,  1864.  —  Had  quite  a  rain  and  with  our 
humble  shelter  it  was  no  desirable  thing.  We  got  $3  worth 
of  molasses  in  a  quart  cup  and  had  some  bread  and  mo 
lasses.  Handy  dealt  it  out  by  the  spoonful,  and  Asa  took 
four,  so  he  owes  us  a  spoonful  of  molasses.  Now  we  see 
what  makes  a  thing  good.  We  think  as  much  of  a  spoonful 
of  molasses  here  as  we  would  of  a  gallon  at  home,  and  it 
costs  about  as  much.  O  how  I  would  like  to  see  some  pris 
oners  go  home !  It  would  bring  such  joy  to  us.  Tongue  nor 
pen  can  never  describe  our  privations  here,  nor  our  joy 
when  we  arrive  in  Wash,  free  from  our  enemies.  O  how  bad 
it  seems  to  be  kept  here  after  our  time  expires ! 

Sunday,  June  12,  1864. — With  Nat's  shirt  made  quite 
a  good  addition  to  our  shanty,  but  there  was  need  enough 
of  it,  for  we  had  an  awful  night  of  rain.  Handy  had  a  rough 
time.  It  stormed  all  night.  Had  a  ration  of  hot  corn  bread 
and  we  finished  our  molasses,  8  spoonfuls  apiece  for  $3. 
We  can't  stand  that.  Got  $i  worth  of  butter,  %  of  a 
pound.  It  went  first  rate,  but  at  home  we  would  not  have 
looked  at  it.  Great  rumors  in  camp  about  our  parole.  O 
Lord,  if  they  were  only  true,  how  joyful  we  would  have 
been !  But  still  we  know  that  the  time  must  come  some  time. 
How  true,  if  not  for  hope  the  heart  would  break ! 

Monday,  June  13,  1864.  —  Came  on  cold  and  rainy  today. 


io8         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

"When  the  birds  cannot  show  a  dry  feather, 
Bring  Aunt  with  her  cans  &  Marm  with  her  pans 
And  we'll  all  be  unhappy  together." 
This  is  very  applicable  to  our  situation,  for  it  rained  all  day, 
and  cold  it  was  indeed.  At  night  we  almost  froze.   I  never 
saw  such  cold  weather  in  the  North.  You  can  see  our  breath 
as  though  it  was  frosty.  Had  some  mush  for  breakfast,  and 
bread  for  supper,  and  crouched  down  in  our  old  blanket. 
It  is  very  painful.   Still  all  our  happiness  in  this  and  in  the 
other  world  also,  is  comparative.    We  see  those  around 
wounded   &  without  any  shelter,   &  compared  with  them 
we  are  well  off.   Rumor  says  Gen.  Winder  took  command 
here.    Rumor  afloat  of  exchange. 

Tuesday,  June  14,  1864. — Another  very  wet  day  for  us. 
Handy  had  the  shakes.  He  bought  a  blanket  for  $5  and 
slept  quite  warm.  Got  our  rations  very  late.  Sold  our  ham 
as  usual.  One  of  our  mess  "passed  to  the  Summer  Land  " 
last  night.  They  are  dying  very  fast.  Grand  reports  about 
exchange  and  parole.  Would  to  God  they  were  true !  I  do 
think  that  we  will  not  have  to  stay  in  here  long,  it  is  not 
just  treatment  from  our  Gov.  Since  this  cold  weather  I 
feel  much  better.  Corn  meal  gives  me  the  diarrhoea  again. 
O  how  glad  I  shall  be  when  I  see  the  little  starry  flag 
again ! 

Wednesday,  June  15,  1864. — Took  off  the  ring  S.  B.  gave 
me,  put  it  on  again,  noo  prisoners  arrived.  Joe  Learned 
and  Sam  Morrison  from  our  Co.  O  how  sad  are  the  re 
ports  from  our  regt !  53  from  Co.  K.  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing,  in  the  battle  of  the  iQth,  when  we  were  taken; 
ii  killed,  and  814  out  of  the  regt.  Gen'l  Meade  issued  a 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         109 

congratulatory  order  to  the  artillery  brigade  on  the  fight  of 
the  iQth  of  May.  O  how  glad  I  was  to  learn  that  Dow  and 
Page^were  all  right  up  to  the  2d  of  June.  I  was  painfully 
grieved  when  they  told  me  that  Dow  felt  very  badly  when 
he  learned  my  fate.  He  came  to  the  Co.  and  enquired  for 
me  of  Joe.  There  is  a  TRUE  friend,  &  if  he  will  go  home 
in  July  and  wait  until  I  come,  it  will  be  the  happiest  mo 
ment  of  my  life,  and  I  pray  to  God  that  such  may  be  the 
case.  How  I  hope  Dow  will  get  my  letter,  but  I  am  afraid 
he  will  not.  [Lucius  A.]  Wilder  went  to  stop  with  Learned 
&  M.  Got  the  diarrhoea. 

Thursday,  June  1 6, 1864. — Another  large  squad  of  Yanks 
came  in.  Did  not  see  any  from  our  Regt.,  but  learned  that 
ours  had  been  badly  cut  up  while  charging  the  enemy's 
works  on  the  3d  of  June.  I  feel  for  the  Regt.,  and  very  spe 
cially  for  the  old  members.  My  stomach  is  not  right  yet. 
Did  not  eat  anything  but  rice,  and  had  a  severe  day.  Ru 
mors  that  28  transports  are  on  the  way  for  us  from  Ft. 
Monroe  to  Savannah.  Felt  quite  encouraged,  but  can't  quite 
give  it  credence.  Rained  in  the  afternoon  and  night.  Drew 
some  wood.  Handy  had  his  salt  and  spoon  stolen.  He  has 
the  shakes.  O  I  sigh  for  liberty! 

Friday,  June  17,  1864.  —  The  immortal  17th  has  arrived, 
memorable  for  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  but  it  brings  no 
joy  for  me.  All  is  sadness  and  sorrow,  but  I  live  in  hopes 
of  better  things,  and  when  they  come,  Glory !  Rained  all 
day  as  it  has  for  the  past  week.  My  diarrhoea  is  no  better, 
but  it  is  not  very  bad,  so  I  am  not  alarmed  about  it  yet. 
Lived  on  rice.  How  I  do  want  to  see  and  hear  from  my 
friends.  .  .  .  My  thoughts  in  the  day  and  my  dreams  in 


i  io         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

the  night  are  nothing  but  my  liberty,  my  liberty.  Ten 
thousand  times  a  day  do  I  think  of  my  engagement  to  go 
to  England.  If  I  can't  enjoy  life  after  this,  I  am  not  sentient. 

Saturday,  June  1 8, 1 864.  — Another  stormy  day.  Nothing 
of  importance  going  on.  My  diarrhoea  is  some  better.  Joe 
L.  went  to  the  doctor.  The  doctor  said  it  was  a  shame  to 
keep  us  here  so,  and  so  it  is  truly.  Pen  nor  tongue  can  never 
tell  the  agony  of  mind  that  I  and  some  of  my  party  endure. 
Here  we  are  with  no  alternative  but  to  crouch  under  a  low 
blanket  and  think  from  morn  till  night  of  our  deplorable 
condition,  &  from  night  till  morn  it  occupies  our  dreaming 
hours.  What  a  recreation  any  employment  for  the  mind 
even  would  be,  but  all  I  can  think  of  is,  "Fly  swifter  round, 
ye  wheels  of  time,  &  bring  the  welcome  day." 

Sunday,  June  19,  1864.  —  June  1 6th  some  more  of  the  Ist 
Mass,  came  in  &  report  that  C.  Berry  was  severely  wounded. 
Joe  &  Sam  are  quite  sick  with  the  diarrhoea,  and  thus 
things  go.  Handy  had  his  salt  and  bag  taken  from  him  by 
force  by  the  raiders.  There  is  the  greatest  set  of  robbers 
in  here  I  ever  imagined  could  be  got  together  in  one  place. 
Another  lot  of  Yanks  came  in  from  the  Western  Army. 
Handy  is  quite  ill,  and  we  all  feel  very  weak  and  bad.  Still 
we  must  try  to  keep  up  good  spunk.  I  think  one  month 
more  will  take  us  to  the  land  of  the  free.  Had  quite  a  fair 
day,  heavy  shower  in  the  P.  M.  Our  men  divided  into  squads 
of  16  [or  io  ?]  —  much  better  way. 

Monday,  June  20, 1864. —  .  .  .  The  best  report  yet  in  the 
N.  Y.  Herald  that  we  are  to  be  paroled  between  the  7th  & 
17th  of  July.  I  place  the  most  confidence  in  it  of  any.  I  felt 
the  best  of  any  yet,  —  all  of  us  are  better.  Rained  p.  M. 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         in 

Tuesday,  June  2 1, 1 864.  —  Felt  quite  smart,  stirred  around 
some.  The  sun  was  very  scorching.  ...  I  took  charge  of 
our  squad.  Sold  15  cts.  worth  of  rations.  Apples,  plums, 
cucumbers,  etc.,  have  been  in  camp  for  several  days.  One 
man  shot  because  he  accidentally  got  over  the  dead-line. 
Nat  is  quite  sick,  the  rest  of  us  are  getting  along  well.  Re 
port  says  that  the  Negro  question  is  settled.  Small  squad 
of  Yanks  came  in  from  the  Occidental  Army,  Gen'l  Sturgis. 
He  is  the  one  that  had  command  of  us  on  the  Fairfax  trot. 
Every  nap  we  all  dream  of  home. 

Wednesday,  June  22,  1864. —  Strange  to  say  we  did  not 
have  any  rain.  The  weather  is  very  hot  and  oppressive.  All 
we  got  to  eat  was  a  pint  of  unsalted,  uncooked  mush.  O  it 
does  seem  rough,  inhuman,  and  unjust  to  keep  us  here !  If 
they  would  only  take  us  back  to  the  place  where  I  first  saw 
the  light,  the  happiest  souls  on  earth  we  would  be !  ... 
Dreamed  last  night  that  James  was  dead,  &  I  put  some 
confidence  in  it,  but  hope  it  is  not  so.  I  can't  write  more, 
for  I  am  thinking  of  things  far  away. 

Thursday,  June  23, 1 864.  —  No  rain  today.  A  small  squad 
of  recruits  came,  a  lot  of  H.  A.  Saw  two  of  our  regt's 
knapsacks,  one  of  Co.  K.,No.  26.  It  looked  natural  enough. 
Some  of  the  squads  got  fresh  beef,  but  it  was  rough  stuff. 
Had  some  soup  for  supper,  did  not  like  it.  Sold  one  ration 
of  bread  and  got  some  meal.  More  rumors  of  an  exchange. 
Wish  they  were  true  &  think  some  of  them  must  be.  How 
I  would  prize  life  if  only  once  more  set  free  or  back  at  the 
old  fort!  O  how  good  those  blackberries  and  sugar,  and 
nice  soft  bread  and  butter  would  go !  How  often  we  think 
of  such  things  when  once  deprived  of  them.  When  we 


ii2         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

are  men  once  more,  we  can  then  appreciate  life.  Here  we 
are  deprived  of  almost  life  itself. 

Friday, June  24, 1864. — Today  my  mind  wanders  back  3 
years,  when  at  12  o'clock  I  left  Lawrence  for  Fort  Warren. 
3  years  ago  today  the  immortal  14*  went  into  camp.  3  years 
ago  today  I  left  my  friends  and  kindred,  mother  and  James, 
&  more  especially  my  L.  friends.  My  mind  still  clings  to 
the  shady  streets  of  L.,  and  the  many  fine  times  I  have  had 
there.  But  now  all  is  different,  no  joy  nor  gladness  is  left. 
Perhaps  too  I  might  refer  to  my  soldier  comrades  who  now 
lie  buried  in  the  cold  ground,  some  even  without  a  covering. 
How  many,  alas,  have  perished  since  6  weeks  next  Sun 
day.  Awful  hot.  Nothing  of  importance  is  going  on,  the 
same  dull  deplorable  life.  Diarrhoea  again.  How  good  a 
word  from  friends  would  be! 

Saturday,  'June  25, 1864.  — Very  hot,  no  rain,  rations  very 
late.  I  lived  on  bread,  could  not  sell  my  meat.  Put  some 
meal  to  soak  for  beer.  Joe  sold  his  pailful  quick.  Sam  is 
in  poor  spirits,  but  I  am  getting  as  well  as  could  be  expected. 
But  then,  I  am  almost  distracted,  for  things  are  dubious 
here  indeed,  and  all  we  have  to  console  us  is  to  hope  for  bet 
ter  things.  The  seeming  joy  is  great,  that  I  have  in  thinking 
of  the  joy  that  I  will  have  when  I  see  the  Stars  &  Stripes,  for 
then  I  soon  will  see  my  friends.  Orders  came  to  give  back 
the  money  taken  from  old  prisoners.  That  is  [a]  good  in 
dication,  but  money  nor  anything  can  ever  compensate  us 
for  one  week's  stop  here. 

Sunday,  "June  26,  1864.  —  The  best  move  yet.  Joe  Lear 
ned  came  up  here,  making  it  much  more  pleasant  for  us 
all.  A  very  small  lot  of  Yanks  came  in  from  Sherman's 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         113 

Army.  The  weather  is  very  hot,  &  were  it  not  for  the 
hopes  of  the  future  our  hearts  would  break.  Got  mush  and 
meal,  .yery  good  for  this  accursed  land.  The  letters  stopped 
going,  for  what  reason  we  know  not.  No  arrivals  from 
Grant's  Army  for  a  long  time,  hope  there  will  be  no  more 
from  any  army.  Such  living  as  we  get  here  is  heart  rend 
ing.  How  we  would  like  to  step  into  the  Pearl  eating- 
house,  cor.  Milk  St.,  or  Marston's,  Brattle  St. 

Monday,  'June  27,  1864.  —  Saw  a  little  of  a  piece  entitled 
"The  Goal  of  Thought/'  by  Joseph  E.  Peck,  in  the  Re 
pository.  Thought  the  little  I  saw  was  beautiful.  Nothing 
of  importance  going  on.  Some  1000  Yanks  came  in.  Some 
brought  good  news,  and  some  bad.  Rumors  still  fly  as 
regards  our  exchange.  We  met  with  a  great  loss,  it  was 
our  knife,  &  it  is  very  inconvenient  to  get  along  cook 
ing  and  cutting  wood  with  our  fingers.  As  for  eating, 
we  can  eat  with  our  fingers  first  rate  now.  Joe  is  quite 
ague-y.  ...  I  have  made  my  mind  up  on  going  home 
next  month,  so  sure  that  I  feel  quite  easy,  but  if  next 
month  does  not  release  us,  O  God,  I  would  I  never  had 
been  born! 

Tuesday,  'June  28, 1 864.  —  Had  a  good  shower  which  made 
it  quite  comfortable  for  a  season.  A  large  lot  of  Yanks 
came  in,  about  1000.  I  am  about  discouraged.  Only  think, 
if  we  only  had  staid  at  the  forts,  only  one  short  week  from 
today  our  time  would  be  out,  and  that  long  wished  for 
period  would  have  come,  and  I  should  have  been  the  hap 
piest  of  men.  Now  I  might  say  I  am  quite  the  reverse. 
Only  one  week  more,  oh  how  good  it  sounds !  But  now  the 
future  looks  gloomy.  Otherwise  Dow  and  I  would  have 


ii4         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

been  going  home  together.  Now  it  will  be  otherwise,  and 
perhaps  one  of  us  never  will  go  home.  But  we  will  look  as 
well  as  we  can  on  the  dark  and  gloomy  picture. 

Wednesday,  June  29,  1864. '—  Quite  an  excitement  about 
raiders.  Took  14  of  them  out,  and  the  Capt.  [Wirz]  says  he 
will  do  what  we  say  with  them.  But  one  thing  is  bad  for  us 
-  we  got  no  rations,  and  on  as  small  rations  as  we  get,  it 
is  no  fun.  A  great  squad  of  Yanks  came  in,  bringing  all 
sorts  of  news.  I  wish  some  of  it  was  true.  Had  a  good 
shower.  Drew  4  spoonfuls  of  salt  for  15  men ;  that 's  great ! 
Handy  and  I  got  caught  in  a  shower  and  enjoyed  a  stranger's 
hospitality.  Was  thinking  all  day,  if  we  were  only  at  the 
forts,  the  order  would  be  read  today  for  the  inspection  and 
muster  tomorrow.  How  I  looked  [forward]  last  muster,  to 
tomorrow's.  Oh  !  How  I  doted  upon  it !  But  my  hopes  are 
vanished,  &  I  am  sad.  If  I  were  only  out  of  this  I  would 
give  all  the  money  I  ever  saw. 

Thursday,  June  30,  1864.— Not  as  hot  as  usual,  cloudy, 
no  rain.  Did  not  get  anything  but  a  little  mush  and  meal  for 
2  days.  It  is  rough,  it  is  bad,  and  to  me  it  is  almost  unsup- 
portable.  How  rough  it  is  to  serve  our  Country  through  so 
many  privations  for  3  long  years,  then,  instead  of  going  to 
that  longed-for  home  of  joy  &  happiness,  be  put  in  this  pen 
of  insatiate  misery,  without  one  consoling  thought  even.  If 
anybody  was  ever  miserable,  I  am  since  coming  here.  Only 
5  days  more,  then  I  was  expecting  to  enjoy  life  as  hugely  as 
any  man  could.  Got  out  lots  of  raiders  and  tried  them  by 
court-martial. 

Friday,  July  I,  1864.— O  dear!  Ain't  this  a  tough  life  ? 
July  has  come,  &  instead  of  bringing  its  anticipated  joys, 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         115 

woes  as  intense  have  followed  it.  But  why  keep  sighing  ? 
Because  I  can't  help  it. 

Moyed  in  the  new  stockade,  and  are  some  better  situated 
because  the  pen  is  a  little  larger.  From  49  to  98  detach 
ments  moved.  I  made  some  mush  for  supper,  put  the  meal 
in  before  the  water  boiled  &  it  raised  fits  with  me.  Had 
some  fresh  made  for  tomorrow's  breakfast.  Bought  a 
spoonful  of  w.  sugar  for  25  0.  Lost  the  comb  that  belonged 
to  John.  Was  very  sorry  indeed. 

Saturday,  July  2, 1864. — Here  we  are  at  this  late  day  still 
living  on  corn  meal  and  water.  Handy  had  a  chill  again. 
.  .  .  H.,  L.,  &  I  have  got  a  bad  diarrhoea  again,  making 
us  feel  quite  blue.  Made  a  broth  out  of  a  bone,  &  had  some 
fresh  meat,  but  I,  nor  any  one  else,  could  live  on  the  rations, 
&  in  the  pen.  More  rumors  of  an  exchange.  O  dear,  O 
dear,  were  they  only  true!  I  am  thinking  of  the  time  I 
would  be  now  having  on  my  way  home,  were  I  in  the  forts 
where  I  expected  to  be.  How  true  —  we  know  not  what  an 
hour  may  bring  forth  !  But  one  thing  [is  certain],  this  can't 
always  last,  and  when  it  ends  I  '11  make  it  up. 

Sunday,  July  3,  1864.  — Only  think,  tomorrow  is  the  im 
mortal  4th.  If  I  were  only  in  Boston  my  joy  would  be  un 
speakable.  I  can't  imagine  the  joy  if  Dow  and  I  were  there, 
free  and  accepted,  in  all  things  as  well  as  Masonry.  There  is 
no  difference  here,  one  day  from  another,  and  I  played  a 
game  of  cards,  not  thinking  it  was  the  day  it  is.  My  bowels 
are  bad  yet.  The  guard  killed  a  crazy  man  for  getting  over 
the  dead-line.  Had  two  roll-calls  and  no  rations  at  all. 
My  stars,  what  a  fuss  there  would  have  been  at  the  forts, 
if  we  had  gone  day  after  day  with  no  rations !  But  here 


ii6         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

we  stand  anything.  What  shall  I  write  tomorrow,  and 
the  5*  ? 

Monday,July^i^6^.. — This  has  been  a  curious  4th  to  me, 
and  it  has  to  us  all,  I  guess.  Not  a  sign  of  any  celebration, 
but  no  rations.  They  took  the  detachments  off  and  changed 
ours  to  the  5  Ist.  More  rumors  of  an  exchange.  Would  to 
God  they  were  true!  Had  a  smart  shower,  got  all  wet. 
Got  cold  in  the  night  and  had  a  touch  of  ague.  This  is  my 
4th  Fourth  of  July  in  the  Army.  3  years  ago  today  I  was 
on  guard  for  the  first  time  at  Fort  Warren  &  saw  the  fire 
works  at  Boston.  One  year  [ago]  today  we  had  a  good  din 
ner  and  time  in  the  tent  at  Fort  Albany.  I  came  out  of  the 
G.  H.  for  seeing  Dow  2  yrs  (ago)  today.  I  was  with  Dow 
at  Albany,  went  off  berrying  with  him.  Thus  time  has 
passed  with  me.  O  dear,  I  am  discouraged! 

Tuesday^  uly  $,  1864.  —  O  for  the  Promethean  eloquence 
of  Demosthenes  or  Cicero !  Today  is  the  day  longed  for  by 
me  so  ardently  for  the  two  long  years  that 's  past,  and  in 
deed  it  would  have  been  to  me  a  second  Advent.  But  now 
it  brings  us  no  consolation  or  joy,  for  it  does  not  send  us  to 
our  friends  at  home.  How  long  must  we  stay  here  ?  None 
but  the  functionaries  at  Washington  can  tell.  But  why  be 
forever  sorrowing  because  I  cannot  find  joy  ?  My  faith  in 
rumors  is  played  out,  for  they  say  that  Richmond  is  taken. 
I  felt  very  badly  with  the  headache  and  diarrhoea,  but 
think  I  am  better.  Rowe  is  very  sick  with  it.  I  went  to 
see  the  doctor,  but  there  was  none.  Fixed  the  tent,  so  it 
goes  very  well.  O  the  friends  I  love ! 

Wednesday,July  6,  1864. — Here  I  am  a  citizen,  &  a  sad 
position  it  is  for  me ;  but  I  must  cheer  up  or  the  despond- 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         117 

ency  will  bring  disease.  Joe  went  after  the  rations  &  was 
taken  very  sick,  but  got  better  before  night.  This  is  the 
roughest  pen  that  ever  civilized  man  was  put  in.  Here  all 
is  bestial,  just  like  a  hog  pen,  &  hogs  we  must  be,  for  like 
hogs  we  live,  like  hogs  we  act.  Once  in  a  while  a  good 
soul  shines  like  a  beacon-light  ahead.  Would  not  I  like  to 
be  on  my  way  home  now  with  Dow  ?  I  guess  yes.  It  would 
be  the  most  intense  joy  I  can  think  of  or  imagine.  But  I 
will  be  with  him  soon,  I  hope. 

Thursday,  July  7, 1864. — Today  is  the  day  for  us  to  start 
for  home,  &  it  was  as  I  feared,  no  go.  Can't  place  one  bit 
of  confidence  in  rumors  &  never  shall  again  while  in  here. 
I  have  now  made  up  my  mind  to  stop  until  Richmond  is 
captured,  &  then  I  think  something  will  be  done  for  us. 
I  have  got  a  very  bad  cold  and  a  touch  of  the  dumb  ague, 
making  this  prison  life  not  very  pleasant.  I  dreamed  last 
night  of  being  paroled  and  seeing  Dow,  and  the  disap 
pointment  when  I  awoke  &  found  myself  still  in  Hell !  - 
I  have  given  up  all  hopes  of  hearing  from  home,  likewise  of 
their  hearing  from  me.  But  while  there  is  life  there  is  hope, 
and  that  consoles  me. 

Friday,  July  8,  1864.  —  One  year  ago  we  were  in  first  rate 
quarters  in  the  tents  at  Albany,  and  we  had  as  good  living 
as  we  cared  about.  The  blackberries  and  sugar  never  gave 
out,  and  we  used  to  eat  about  a  quart  apiece.  Morning, 
night,  &  at  dinner  we  had  a  good  meal  from  the  cook 
house.  Three  times  a  week  we  had  plum-duff.  My  tent 
had  a  nice  cool  cellar,  &  we  had  a  large  stone  jar  which  we 
kept  full  of  good  butter.  Then  we  had  a  pint  of  milk  morn 
ing  and  evening  in  our  coffee,  making  it  like  home,  it  seems 


n8         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

now.  H.  had  a  shake,  got  over  it  well.  I  was  quite  sick 
with  the  cold  I  have.  A  few  prisoners  came,  no  signs  of  any 
going  out.  I  think  now  of  staying  until  cool  weather. 

Saturday,  July  9,  1864.  —  Sad,  sad  news  from  our  Co.  & 
Regt.  A  lot  of  prisoners  came  in,  &  with  them  that  good 
man,  Mr.  M.  Emery  of  Co.  F.  He  is  not  well.  I  am  glad 
and  sorry  to  see  him.  He  is  the  most  congenial  friend  I 
have  in  here  yet.  I  learn  that  Page  is  slightly  wounded,  but 
ail  right  and  safe.  Bro.  Dow  slightly  [wounded]  in  the  foot. 
Dow  still  keeps  in  the  field.  I  wish  he  would  go  home! 
Some  of  our  Co.  are  on  the  way  here.  McKay  is  Ord.  of 
our  Co.,  &  there  are  but  12  or  15  for  duty.  Cop.  Collins 
is  dead,  and  one  of  the  Hunters,  &  O,  I  sadly  deplore  the 
surviving  one's  fate !  I  will  not  write  much  until  our  boys 
come  in.  30  of  F.  were  captured.  After  hearing  of  the  Co.'s 
fate  I  don't  know  but  I  am  in  luck.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that 
Page  is  safe,  &  I  think  Dow  will  now  be  out  of  danger. 

Sunday,  July  10,  1864.  —  Today,  sad  news  indeed  I  must 
record.  I  learn  by  Bridges  that  Bro.  Asa  was  shot  through 
the  heart  while  charging  the  breastworks  at  Petersburg, 
June  1 6,  1864.  B.  got  to  him  just  in  season  to  stop  some 
officers  robbing  his  pockets.  B.  took  his  pocket-book  con 
taining  $14.62  &  a  few  stamps,  and  his  Bible,  and  gave 
them  to  the  Chaplain.  That  is  consoling.  Copl.  Wm.  Hills 
died  with  the  diarrhoea.  He  was  a  good  boy,  and  a  friend 
to  me.  It  is  sad,  it  is  sad,  but  I  still  have  faith  in  my  belief, 
&  find  relief  therein.  ...  I  am  mighty  glad  to  learn  that 
Dow  has  gone  home  &  knows  where  I  am. 

Monday,  July  1 1,  1864.  —  Today  I  saw  six  victims  hung 
for  murdering  their  fellow-prisoners.  They  are  the  first  ones 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN        119 

I  ever  saw  hung.  They  call  them  raiders.  One  rope  broke. 
Mr.  Emery  stayed  here  in  the  daytime,  &  picked  up  where 
he  could  at  night.  Fry,  the  two  Sheehans,  Wiggin,  Bridges, 
Voigt  &  Jackson  from  our  regt.  came  in  yesterday.  More 
rumors  of  an  exchange  on  the  i6th  inst.  O  if  it  were  true ! 
A  man  said  he  saw  it  in  the  Wash.  Chronicle.  How  I  want 
to  get  home  and  see  my  folks  while  I  have  some  to  see! 
Now  Asa  is  gone,  if  James  has  not  survived,  I  am  left  alone. 
But  I  think  James  lived  if  he  had  care. 

Tuesday,  July  12,  1864.  —  One  day  more  has  passed, 
thank  God,  and  it  must  bring  us  nearer  the  Welcome  Day. 
More  of  our  reg't.  came  in ;  lots  from  Co.  F.  Emery  got  in 
with  a  stranger.  I  am  very  glad  of  it.  Well,  if  things  go  right, 
&  I  don't  fear  much  but  they  will,  I  shall  consider  myself 
very  lucky.  To  have  things  go  right,  I  shall  get  out  of  here 
this,  or  early  next  month,  find  Dow  all  right  waiting  for  me, 
&  then,  after  settling  the  things  at  home,  I  will  start  on  our 
life's  journey.  How  I  long  for  liberty !  How  sick  I  am  of 
corn  meal !  O !  how  good  it  would  seem  even  now  to  go  to 
some  good  swill-pail  and  fill  ourselves !  I  wait  in  hopes. 

Wednesday,  July  13,  1864.  —  One  more  day  has  gone  & 
brings  us  no  relief.  Still,  if  we  live,  Time  must  bring  the 
welcome  day.  It  will  bring  us  out  of  the  miry  pit  &  set 
our  feet  upon  a  rock,  &  then  what  happy  mortals  we  will 
be !  But  we  are  waiting,  patiently  waiting,  waiting  for  the 
prison  gates  to  be  opened  &  for  Abraham  to  say,  "Come." 
Then  will  we  bless  our  stars  and  return  to  our  beloved 
friends  at  home.  What  a  glorious  meeting  it  will  be !  How 
I  would  like  to  meet  Dow  in  the  Astor  House  or  in  Boston ! 
God  grant  that  things  will  work  for  our  good  &  that  we 


120         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

may  be  permitted  to  spend  the  life  of  pleasure  and  enjoy 
ment  together  that  we  have  doted  on  so  much  f 

Thursday  ,July  14, 1864.  —  Not  so  hot  as  usual,  but  things 
go  bad.  As  for  exchange  or  parole,  I  am  about  played  out 
hoping  for  such  a  thing.  The  Sergt's  went  to  see  the  Capt. 
[Wirz],  and  he  told  them  he  would  shell  us  till  not  a  man  was 
left  if  any  attempt  was  made  to  break  out.  O  dear,  has  Dow 
patience  to  wait  for  me  ?  If  I  have  patience  to  wait  in  this 
pen,  I  think  he  ought  to  have.  But  I  am  waiting,  waiting, 
waiting,  with  patience.  Emery  is  better.  I  am  glad  of  it. 
I  am  not  very  sick,  nor  very  well  yet.  I  have  continually 
had  the  diarrhoea,  &  for  the  last  few  weeks  I  have  had  a 
bad  cold,  making  me  not  very  chipper.  O  God !  Deliver  us 
from  this  prison ! 

Friday,  July  1 5, 1 864. —  Saw  a  petition  they  are  getting  up 
to  send  to  our  Gov.  I  hope  they  will  send  it,  for  it  cannot  do 
harm,  &  if  it  will  do  good,  for  the  sake  of  humanity  send  it 
along.  I  am  not  very  well  and  never  shall  be  while  they 
keep  me  in  here.  I  do  think  that  this  is  not  fair  for  us  to  be 
kept  here.  It  is  unjust,  for  the  sake  of  humanity,  or  Chris 
tianity,  or  anything  that  pretends  to  be  civilized  and  much 
more  Enlightened.  O  do  not  boast  of  your  enlightened  age ! 
Away,  away,  while  such  suffering  and  misery  are  going  on ! 
This,  this  is  shameful  —  it  is  disgraceful  —  &  here  let  it 
rest.  —  The  weather  is  quite  cool  &  all  goes  wrong,  but 
Time  must  release  us,  and  that  is  all  I  look  for  to  do  any 
thing  for  us. 

Saturday,  July  16,  1864.  —  Did  not  write  till  near  night, 
for  I  felt  very  badly.  Went  to  the  Dr.  &  he  did  not  see  me, 
for  Joe  could  not  wait  for  me.  I  am  about  discouraged.  O 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         121 

dear,  I  am  so  sick  of  this  corn  meal !  The  sight  of  it  makes 
me  sick.  O  how  I  would  prize  some  good  bread  and  milk ! 
What  a  thrill  of  feeling  it  would  send  through  my  whole 
being ! 

[Note. — Up  to  this  time,  every  page  of  the  diary  has  been 
filled  to  the  last  line.  Nearly  half  of  the  page  devoted  to 
July  1 6  has  been  left  unwritten  upon,  and  very  little  ap 
pears  upon  the  pages  for  the  seven  days  next  following.] 

Sunday,  July  17,  1864.  —  Went  to  the  Doctor.  He  pre 
scribed  some  diarrhoea  &  cough  medicine,  but  the  cough 
medicine  got  spilled,  so  it  did  me  no  good,  no  good.  I  am  in 
a  bad  condition,  nothing  but  water  passes  me,  &  no  appetite 
for  anything  we  see  here  at  all.  This  corn  meal  is  awful 
sickening.  It  is  too  bad,  too  bad,  but  such  is  the  case.  O 
God !  The  man  that  will  take  me  out  of  this  I  will  call  him 
"  Prince  of  Kings  &  Lord  of  Lords."  He  to  me  will  be  a 
true  Redeemer,  I  think,  in  every  sense  of  the  word. 

Monday,  July  1 8,  1864.  —  Lay  on  my  back  in  the  tent  in 
the  dirt  all  day,  pretty  sick.  This  is  hard,  indeed,  but 
I  don't  see  but  what  we  must  stand  it.  How  I  wish  Dow 
would  come  down  to  see  me  as  he  did  at  Albany  when  he 
heard  I  was  sick.  But  if  I  only  live  to  see  it  through,  I  think 
it  will  be  all  right.  The  weather  is  quite  cool  today,  with 
some  rain. 

"Tuesday,  July  19, 1864.  —  Felt  quite  blue.  My  stomach  is 
no  better,  but  I  got  a  biscuit  for  breakfast,  and  some  flour 
gruel  for  breakfast  and  supper.  It  did  no  good,  only  tempo 
rarily.  Mr.  Emery  sold  my  meat  for  20  0.  Good  news  from 
Sherman,  &  I  am  satisfied  that  Kilpatrick  is  on  a  raid  for 
us  &  I  put  a  great  deal  of  confidence  [Here  a  wavering 


122         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

mark  indicates  that  the  writer's  hand  lost  control  of  his 
pencil.] 

Wednesday,  July  20,  1864.  —  I  felt  some  Better,  but  not 
quite  well.  The  rebels  are  throwing  up  breast-works  as 
fast  as  they  — 

Thursday,  July  21,  1864.  — Felt  some  better,  but  nothing 
but  water  passes  me  yet. 

Friday,  July  22,  1864. — Here  we  are,  still  in  the  same 
place.  .  .  .  Did  not  eat  much. 

Saturday,  July  23,  1864.  —  Lay  very  cold.  The  weather 
looks  like  the  melancholy  days,  &  it  puts  me  in  mind  of  Fall, 
&  that  it  was  time  something  was  done  for  us.  A  man  in 
Co.  F.  died  today.  Drew  4  spoonfuls  of  rice. 

Sunday,  July  24, 1864.  — Well,  here  we  are,  but  I  am  feel 
ing  better  and  am  therefore  in  some  better  spirits.  It  is  ru 
mored  that  Atlanta  is  taken,  and  I  guess  it  is.  Grant  seems 
not  to  be  doing  much  &  we  are  still  here.  The  weather  is  so 
cold  that  we  come  near  freezing,  but  it  makes  us  feel  better. 
It  gives  me  an  appetite  for  a  good  hot  breakfast.  But  every 
day  brings  us  one  day  nearer  our  release.  I  do  hope  we  will 
not  be  forgotten,  for  our  Gov.,  I  think,  after  this  campaign 
is  over,  will  turn  an  eye  towards  us.  Joe  Hayden,  Co.  M.,  is 
sick,  Emery  is  worse,  and  thus  things  go,  but  I  am  sure  that 
the  best  of  all  is  to  keep  a  stiff  upper  lip. 

Monday,  July  2 $,  1864. — Felt  better  and  am  encouraged. 
Think  I  shall  stand  it,  but  it  is  rough  indeed.  Emery  is  get 
ting  worse,  and  Handy  too.  The  weather  is  some  warmer 
and  we  did  not  freeze  at  night.  A  fellow  in  Co.  G.  died  at  8 
this  evening  through  mere  discouragement.  That  heart- 
sickness,  only  known  to  the  young  men  like  us,  can  never 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         123 

be  imagined  until  it  has  been  endured.  I  am  afraid  there 
is  a  long  stop  for  us  in  here,  too.  I  see  no  signs  of  getting 
out  of  it,  &  it  is  heart-rending  indeed,  but  here  I  am.  I 
got  my  turn  for  water  today  for  the  first  time.  We  have 
drawn  [no]  rice  for  two  days,  &  no  salt.  That  is  tough. 

Tuesday,  July  26,  1864.  —  Emery  sent  in  an  application 
for  himself  to  go  out  shoemaking,  and  also  for  me.  I  do  hope 
we  shall  both  be  successful  and  get  where  we  can  enjoy  life  a 
little.  Another  fellow  in  our  detachment  died,  and  thus 
things  go.  I  consider  [that]  as  my  time  is  out  and  my  con 
tract  fulfilled,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Gov.  to  release  me,  and  if 
they  don't  do  something  for  me,  I  must  try  and  do  some 
thing  for  myself.  If  I  can  get  out  on  parole  of  honor,  I  shall 
do  it,  &  shall  think  it  no  harm.  I  wish  I  could  ask  Dow's 
opinion  on  it.  I  would  abide  by  that. 

Wednesday  9July  27, 1864.  — Ate  some  fried  doughnuts  for 
breakfast,  &  it  made  me  sick  enough.  In  the  afternoon  I 
had  an  old  visitor  in  the  shape  of  a  chill.  How  I  thought  of 
Page,  for  I  have  seen  him  the  sickest  with  the  shakes  of  any 
man  I  ever  saw.  This  is  a  rough  place  for  such  things,  & 
they  are  bad  enough  anywhere.  Emery  &  I  had  a  wash  all 
over,  and  it  did  feel  good  and  do  us  good.  I  hope  we  will  be 
fortunate  enough  to  get  up  to  Macon.  O  how  glorious  it 
would  seem,  and  how  glorious  it  would  be !  ...  A  man 
[was]  shot  dead  for  stepping  over  the  dead-line.  I  call 
that  murder. 

Thursday,  July  28,  1864.  —  I  felt  very  well  indeed,  but  a 
little  weak.  Nothing  of  importance  has  transpired.  Joe  is 
a  little  ailing,  but  guess  [it  is]  nothing  serious.  Emery  is  the 
same.  I  am  very  sorry  he  does  not  gain.  Hope  he  will  get 


i24        DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

out  to  work  on  shoes,  and  do  something  for  himself,  for  I  do 
consider  it  his  duty  to.  I  wish  I  could  do  something  outside. 
How  quick  I  would  go,  and  should  do  it  conscientiously  too, 
for  I  have  fulfilled  my  contract  with  the  government  by 
serving  them  faithfully  for  three  years. 

Friday,  July  29, 1864.  —  Today  instead  of  having  a  chill, 
I  had  a  very  curious  disease.  I  was  paralyzed  and  could  not 
move,  &  in  great  agony  for  a  while.  I  think  it  is  very  strange, 
.  .  .  but  it  prevented  a  chill.  I  got  a  little  salt  for  Emery. 
Neeley  cut  my  hair,  &  I  washed  all  over.  I  traded  four 
rations  of  pork  for  molasses  and  got  quite  a  supper. 

Saturday,  July  30, 1864.  —  I  felt  first-rate  in  the  morning, 
but  in  the  afternoon  I  got  down  flat  again,  and  no  one  to  get 
the  water.  Handy  went  after  some  and  got  down  too.  I 
traded  Holt's  canteen  for  a  bucket  that  holds  four  quarts. 
I  hope  that  we  can  manage  not  to  suffer  now,  but  suppose 
that  it  will  be  as  hard  as  ever.  Good  stories  about  a  parole, 
and  I  think  some  of  them  are  true.  I  sadly  regret  that  I  did 
not  join  the  F.  &  A.  M.  when  I  thought  of  it. 

Sunday,  July  31,  1864.  —  I  am  sorry  to  find  Emery  in  so 
bad  a  condition.  If  he  does  not  get  better  soon  he  never 
will.  Good  news  about  an  exchange  —  I  am  putting  some 
confidence  in  it,  too.  I  felt  well  in  the  morning,  but  in  the 
afternoon  I  had  another  of  those  cursed  shakes.  How  painful 
it  must  be,  those  can  imagine  that  have  had  them.  I  thought 
of  Dow,  I  can  assure  you,  and  Page  and  every  friend  I  ever 
had.  Can't  get  any  medicine,  &  I  must  stand  and  bear  it. 
I  am  in  hopes  of  a  speedy  release  now. 

Monday,  Aug.  I,  1864.  —  Did  not  feel  very  well  in  the 
morning,  &  was  favored  with  a  good  shake  in  the  afternoon. 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         125 

Went  down  and  washed  in  the  morning,  &  got  my  water. 
A  rebel  minister  was  preaching  &  said  we  would  be 
paroled  immediately. 

Tuesday,  Aug.  2,  1864.  —  Had  another  chill  as  usual,  but 
it  was  not  so  hard  as  usual,  but  hard  enough  to  make  me 
think  of  my  friends  if  I  ever  had  any.  ...  I  often  think 
of  what  I  now  call  the  friends  of  Co.  K.,  and  I  now  look 
back  to  those  happy  times  of  social  talk  &c.  Our  quarters 
were  good,  and  food,  with  what  we  could  buy,  was  good. 
The  stories  say  we  are  not  to  stay  here  long,  &  if  the  Devil 
will  get  me  out  of  this  I  will  worship  him,  for  I  am  discour 
aged.  .  .  . 

Wednesday,  Aug.  3,  1864.  —  Did  not  have  a  chill  or  shake 
this  afternoon  and  felt  quite  encouraged.  I  am  afraid  that 
I  am  ill  with  the  scurvy.  Went  to  see  the  doctors,  but  did 
not  [see  them.]  What  a  crowd  of  sick !  They  take  them  to 
the  depot,  and  where  they  take  them  is  a  mystery.  They 
say  they  take  them  to  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.  I  am  glad  if  it  is 
so,  but  I  [distrust]  such  good  news.  Emery  is  very  ill.  I 
cooked  him  some  rice,  but  he  could  not  use  it.  He  has  not 
eaten  anything  to-day.  I  long  to  see  my  folks. 

Thursday,  Aug.  4, 1864.  — Made  some  [An  illegible  word 
or  part  of  a  word  follows,  —  perhaps  "rice,"  -and  the 
rest  of  the  page  is  blank.  The  pages  for  Friday  and  Sat 
urday  are  wholly  blank.J 

Sunday,  Aug.  7,  1864.  —  I  have  been  very  sick  with  the 
diarrhoea  again,  all  of  a  sudden.  I  was  called  up  30  times 
in  24  hours.  Rather  tough,  that,  but  I  am  glad  to  say  that 
I  ate  some  corn-bread  and  it  went  very  well,  &  I  think  the 
change  was  good.  Have  not  seen  Emery  for  a  day  or  two. 


126        DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

No  sick  went  out  today.  Gen.  W.  had  telegraphic  orders 
for  an  exchange  of  us.  Only  think,  three  years  ago  today 
at  9  o'clock  we  left  Fort  Warren.  Uncle  John  followed  us 
to  the  depot,  and  at  twelve  we  started.  Then  we  (John  &  I) 
were  in  good  spirits.  Now  he  has  gone,  and  I  am  about  as 
badly  off. 

Monday,  August  8,  1864.  —  Felt  bad  in  the  morning. 
Bridges  made  me  a  lot  of  rice  soup  and  of  course  ate  what 
I  left.  Had  rain  in  the  afternoon  and  we  got  pretty  wet. 
I  sold  2  rations  of  pork  to  a  F.  &  A.  M.  for  20  0.  Was  glad 
to  get  the  chance.  I  wish  I  was  an  honorable  member  of  that 
F.,  but  such  is  not  the  case.  O  how  I  want  to  get  out  from 
here !  Here  I  lie  and  wallow  in  the  dirt  from  morning  till 
night.  O  God,  if  I  could  only  get  inside  our  lines  how  happy 
I  should  be!  We  drew  wood.  I  gave  up  my  mess  when  I 
was  sick.  Rumors  of  an  exchange.  Am  afraid  it  [will  be] 
long  ere  I  see  my  home. 

Tuesday,  August  9,  1864.  —  Had  an  awful  shower  in  the 
afternoon  and  we  all  got  very  wet,  and  a  rough  night  we 
had  too,  in  the  mud  and  dirt.  O  dear,  if  such  is  life,  I  wish 
for  it  no  more !  Emery  is  very  badly  off  and  will  not  live 
but  a  short  time,  I  am  afraid.  I  do  wish  I  could  do  some 
thing  for  him,  but  can't.  My  feet  and  face  swell  some,  and 
what  in  the  world  is  going  to  become  of  us  is  more  than  I 
know.  Did  not  draw  any  ration.  Some  of  the  stockade 
fell  in.  How  are  you,  Dow,  Page,  sisters,  and  my  only 
brother  ? 

Wednesday,  August  10, 1864.  —  Asa  Rowe  died  this  after 
noon,  and  was  carried  out  and  buried  with  the  rest  of  the 
poor  prisoners.  I  am  sorry  that  he  must  so  end  his  life,  but 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         127 

it  was  so  ordered  to  be.  ...  I  heard  that  Emery  is  dead, 
and  am  sorry  if  such  is  the  case.  I  shall  go  in  the  morning 
to  see  him,  and  as  I  am  feeling  better  I  will  try  to  take  care 
of  him  some.  We  have  had  showers  every  day  for  three 
days,  &  awful  bad  it  is  too,  but  such  is  the  prisoner's  life. 
O  I  heard  from  the  W.  Chronicle  that  we  are  go— 

Thursday,  August  II,  1864.  —  Felt  quite  well  for  me  here. 
Went  after  water  in  the  morning  and  was  most  exhausted. 
Found  Emery  quite  smart  to  what  I  expected,  for  I  heard 
that  he  was  dead.  I  concluded  to  try  and  take  care  of  him. 
Cooked  him  some  rice  and  it  tasted  good  to  him.  In  the 
afternoon  a  shower  was  coming  on,  &  up  he  came  and 
asked  for  shelter,  which  we  gave  him.  He  was  in  good  cheer 
and  I  felt  encouraged.  He  stayed  here  all  the  time,  but  did 
not  sleep  much.  The  weather  was  very  hot  and  op 
pressive.  I  felt  very  well  for  me.  O  when  will  we  get  out 
of  this  ?  I  want  to  see  my  friends. 

Friday,  August  12,  1864.  —  Made  some  rice  soup  for 
Emery,  which  he  ate  and  liked,  but  he  seemed  to  be  worse 
after  it,  and  he  lay  quiet  until  afternoon,  when  he  was  taken 
worse  and  was  pressed  for  breath.  He  ate  no  supper,  and 
continued  to  fail.  I  was  very  sick  all  night,  vomiting.  I 
asked  him  towards  morning  if  he  felt  as  though  he  could 
stand  it  long.  He  said  "No."  I  asked  him  if  he  had  any 
word  to  send  to  his  folks.  He  said  "No,"  and  I  left  him. 
Things  go  the  same  as  ever,  no  parole  yet,  and  all  our 
comfort  is  in  Hope.  How  I  long,  long,  long  to  see  our 
lines ! 

Saturday,  August  13,  1864.  —  Found  Emery  worse.  Laid 
him  on  his  coat  and  saw  he  was  dying.  He  passed  to  the 


i28         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

Higher  Life  about  seven  o'clock  and  was  carried  out  and 
buried  with  the  rest  of  the  Union  prisoners.  I  was  very 
sorry  to  see  so  good  a  man  die  in  here.  He  was  a  firm  friend, 
and  would  do  anything  for  me,  and  I  look  for  him  in  the 
bright  Summer  Land.  I  shall  go  to  see  his  folks  when  I  get 
home,  and  tell  them  the  story.  I  am  better,  but  God  send 
us  out  of  this  Hell ! 

Sunday,  August  14, 1864.  —  Things  are  very  quiet.  They 
say  we  are  going  out  of  this  tomorrow.  I  can't  see  it.  I 
made  an  agreement  with  Charles  Mills,  Co.  C.,  that  if  we 
can  get  to  the  American  House  next  month  I  will  pay  for 
the  dinner,  and  if  any  time  after,  he  will  pay  for  it.  How  I 
long  for  that  American  House  dinner !  I  will  have  it  right 
straight  through  in  style.  Had  some  beans  with  no  salt, 
rather  rough.  How  I  long  for  something  but  corn  meal  to 
eat! 

Monday,  August  15, 1864.  —  Today  is  the  day  for  us  to  be 
paroled,  but  no  signs  of  it  yet,  &  my  faith  is  growing  less. 
It  does  seem  as  though  we  could  not  stand  it  much  longer, 
but  I  am  bound  to  try  my  best  to  live  until  I  can  get  out  of 
this  bull-pen,  for  I  want  to  see  my  folks  at  home.  I  have 
set  out  so  much  joy  for  me  that  I  am  sorry  to  die  here,  or 
stay  here  longer.  —  Fairman  died  this  morning.  Last  even 
ing  he  was  quite  smart.  I  never  saw  men  slip  off  so  easy  as 
they  do  here.  They  die  as  easy  as,  as  can  be. 

[Note.  —  Eleven  pages  of  the  diary,  devoted  to  as  many 
days,  are  now  left  wholly  unwritten  upon.] 

Saturday,  August  27,  1864. — This  is  a  cool,  beautiful 
morning.  As  Handy  is  very  sick  and  probably  won't  sur 
vive  long,  there  is  another  good  man  going  to  die  in  this 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         129 

horrid  place.  He  says  he  would  like  to  live  and  go  home  to 
his  family,  and  who  would  not  ?  August  has  almost  passed 
and  npt  released  us,  still  I  am  confident  that  next  month 
must  do  something  for  us,  for  I  am  satisfied  that  the  officers 
are  paroled,  &  lots  of  the  privates.  ...  I  long  to  see  my 
folks. 

Sunday,  August  28, 1864. — [Blank.] 

Monday ,  August  29,  1864.  —  Today  at  half  past  seven  in 
the  evening,  passed  George  Handy  to  the  Spirit  Life.  He  was 
another  one  of  my  true  friends,  and  always  stood  up  for  me. 
He,  like  Mr.  Emery,  leaves  a  wife  and  four  children.  He 
owned  two  blankets  in  the  shanty.  He  was  one  of  Dow's 
men,  whose  word  was  a  bond.  I  don't  write  now,  for  this 
bull  pen  tells  its  own  story. 

[The  pages  for  the  next  three  days  are  blank.] 

Friday,  Sept.  2,  1864.  — Today  I  have  another  sad  duty 
to  perform,  and  that  is  to  record  the  death  of  Friend  Jonas 
Learned.  He  was  sick  only  since  last  Wednesday  with  the 
sore  throat,  but  they  say  it  is  not  diphtheria,  and  for  the  life 
of  me  I  do  not  know  what  it  was.  He  died  very  easy,  said 
nothing  of  his  friends,  and  was  but  a  little  out  of  his  head 
during  his  whole  sickness.  I  took  his  things,  and  will  see 
them  safe  with  his  folks,  in  Oxford,  N.  Y.  Perhaps  I  would 
not  like  to  see  my  folks ! 

Saturday,  Sept.  3,  1864. — Today  passed  another  friend, 
(I  speak  as  an  acquaintance)  Charles  H.  Parrish,  Co.  C., 
died  this  morning  at  four  o'clock.  He  is  from  Lynn.  We 
fixed  our  tent  all  over  and  it  is  much  better.  I  think  we  are 
going  out  this  month  sure,  and  joy  to  the  world  when  we 
are  released !  How  I  would  like  to  see  Dow  and  my  folks.  If 


130         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

they  get  us  out  of  this  this  month  I  am  good  for  them,  but 
if  they  keep  us  longer,  I  fear  for  myself.  Joe  L.  died  about 
12,  yesterday. 

Sunday,  Sept.  4,  1864. — Today  I  did  more  trading  than 
I  have  since  I  have  been  in  the  stockade.  After  all  the  morn 
ing,  I  sold  Emery's  shoes  for  $i,  then  travelled  all  day  & 
at  last  got  hold  of  a  very  cheap  one  [  ?  ]  &  got  it  for  65  cts ; 
it  was  worth  $i.  Got  some  vinegar  and  a  pepper  &  made 
me  what  I  have  always  craved.  Got  our  beans  in  the 
morning  and  I  ate  hearty.  Nat  Brindley  went  to  the  hos 
pital  with  the  shakes,  etc. 

Monday, Sept.  5,  1864.  —  I  have  not  been  so  hungry  since 
I  have  been  in  the  bull  pen.  Nothing  for  breakfast  but  a 
paltry  plate  of  beans,  &  rations  very  late.  I  was  so  hungry 
as  to  be  faint  and  weak.  I  went  down  to  the  ration  team 
and  got  a  handful  of  rice,  and  blistered  my  finger.  We  got  a 
good  radon  of  molasses,  15  spoonfuls.  I  ate  all  my  rations 
for  supper  &  have  not  a  thing  for  breakfast  tomorrow.  I 
think  this  is  big,  not  half  enough  to  eat.  When  I  get  to 
London  with  Dow  I  guess  we  won't  starve  like  this ! 

'Tuesday,  Sept.  6,  1864.— [Blank.] 

Wednesday,  Sept.  7,  1864.  — Today  I  have  felt  quite  elated, 
for  1 6  detachments  have  left  this  bull  pen,  &  everybody 
says,  &  I  expect,  they  are  going  for  an  exchange.  But  still 
I  can't  realize  [it],  until  I  see  the  little  starry  banner  once 
more.  Today  I  met  with  an  accident  that  I  was  awful  sorry 
for.  I  never  felt  so  bad  about  anything.  I  lost  my  pocket 
book  with  my  gold  pen  in  it,  that  I  prized,  for  Dow,  Page,  & 
I  had  used  it  for  two  years,  a  lock  of  John's  hair,  and  some 
pretty  pictures  that  Dow  made.  I  want  Dow  to  make  me  a 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         131 

present  of  one  when  I  see  him,  which  I  hope  will  be  in  two 
weeks. 

Thursday,  Sept.  8,  1864.— [Blank.] 

Friday,  Sept.  9,  1864. — Not  a  great  many  detachments 
went  out  today,  yet  they  are  taking  them  just  as  fast  as  they 
can  find  cars.  It  does  look  good,  and  still  I  can't  fully 
realize  it.  No,  I  can't,  when  I  get  to  our  lines.  It  will  be 
such  a  transition  from  Hell  to  Heaven  that  it  will  take  a 
long  time  to  realize  our  situation.  I  have  not  felt  very  well 
for  a  day.  O  dear,  I  would  not  be  left  here  for  $500.  Money 
could  never  tempt  me;  no,  not  at  all.  In  one  week  I  hope 
to  see  the  Stars  &  Stripes. 

Saturday,  Sept.  10,  1864. — Things  are  still  very  lively  at 
night;  they  took  out  lots  of  Yanks.  How  I  like  to  hear  the 
old  cars  roll,  for  it  portends  a  great  deal.  Holt  has  got  a 
sore  throat.  I  am  afraid  it  may  be  bad.  How  I  long  for  the 
Stars  &  Stripes !  How  I  long  to  meet  Dow !  How  I  have 
missed  him  since  I  lost  him,  &  how  I  will  appreciate  him 
when  I  find  him !  I  shall  abide  by  his  wise  counsel.  My 
sisters  and  friends  will  not  be  forgotten  either.  I  long  for 
sister  Mary's,  for  the  fruit,  and  wholesome  living. 

Sunday,  Sept.  1 1, 1864. — Things  went  about  so-so.  Holt's 
throat  is  worse.  I  am  sorry  for  him.  We  are  going  to  move 
down  on  the  brow  of  the  hill  tomorrow;  it  will  be  much 
better  for  us.  Lots  of  Yanks  are  still  going  out.  Good !  I 
like  to  see  them  go.  How  I  want  to  see  the  old  transports  & 
Uncle  Sam's  hard-tack!  I  think  the  show  is  good  for  us  to 
go  soon.  How  encouraged  I  am  to  think  the  time  is  so  near ! 
If  I  ever  get  on  free  soil,  I  bet  I  will  keep  there  forever ! 

Monday,  Sept.  12,  1864.  —  Today  I  have  the  saddest  to 


132         DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN 

record.  Poor  E.  K.  Holt's  throat  grew  worse,  and  he  could 
not  eat  anything,  and  towards  night  he  was  sensible  that 
he  could  not  live.  He  died  about  dusk,  very  hard  indeed, 
choked  to  death.  About  an  hour  before  he  died  he  told  me, 
if  he  did  not  live  till  morning,  to  carry  his  Bible  to  his  father 
&  tell  him  that  he  had  read  it  through  once,  the  New 
[Testament]  twice,  and  the  whole  most  through  again, 
and  give  his  love  to  his  sisters  and  mother.  —  Got  orders 
to  be  over  to  the  gate  immediately,  for  an  exchange.  Went 
over  double-quick,  forgot  all  my  things,  and  lay  there  till 
morning. 

Tuesday,  Sept.  13,  1864. — Lay  all  day  in  the  bull  pen,  & 
at  night  the  Serg't.  got  us  off  in  the  first  squad.  He  took 
me  &  Wilder  &  Nat,  went  to  the  depot,  got  two  days 
[rations]  of  corn  &  pork,  &  started  for,  I  suppose,  our 
lines.  Got  about  4  miles  when  the  train  ran  off  and  we  had 
a  bad  smash-up.  My  car  was  badly  broken,  but  the  Powers 
that  Be  saved  me.  We  stopped  till  morn  on  the  bank, 
when  after  much  fuss,  we  were  taken  to  the  bull  pen.  In 
the  night  I  was  taken  very  sick  with  the  diarrhoea,  & 
weakened  down  to  nothing  so  that  — 

Wednesday,  Sept.  14,  1864.  —  This  morn  I  could  hardly 
stand.  Wilder  carried  my  things  for  me,  and  by  the  help  of  a 
cane  I  got  along  a  few  rods.  Got  down  to  the  depot,  and 
could  not  walk.  Got  an  ambulance  and  took  me  to  the  hos 
pital.  It  is  an  awful  nasty,  lousy  place,  and  I  am  disgusted. 
My  diar.  is  very  bad  and  will  soon  carry  me  off,  if  it  is  not 
checked,  I  am  afraid.  It  is  too  bad,  for  I  should  hate  to  have 
my  anticipations  fail  now,  for  they  are  so  near  their  termi 
nation  or  beginning. 


DIARY  OF  SAMUEL  MELVIN         133 

Thursday ,  Sept.  1 5,  i 864.  —  Lay  on  my  back  all  day.  Eat 
not  much,  can't  eat  much;  the  corn  bread  I  hate,  &  the 
rice  I  can't,  for  it  goes  directly  through  me.  I  have  seen  no 
doctors  yet.  The  steward  is  a  good  fellow.  I  am  lying  in  a 
tent  on  my  rubber  blanket,  with  an  old  Irishman  next  to  me. 
Can't  make  him  hear  anything.  He  is  most  dead  with  the 
diar.  The  next  is  a  Dutchman,  most  dead  with  scurvy.  And 
then  the  tent  and  blankets  are  just  as  full  of  lice  and  fleas 
as  ever  can  be.  As  things  look  now,  I  stand  a  good  chance 
to  lay  my  bones  in  old  Ga.,  but  I  'd  hate  to  as  bad  as  one 
can,  for  I  want  to  go  home. 

[This  is  the  last  entry  in  the  diary,  though  the  writer's 
strong  vitality  endured  until  September  25.  He  is  buried 
at  Andersonville  in  grave  number  9735.] 


APPENDIX 


APPENDIX    A 

THE    NAMES   OF   THOSE    PRESENT   AT   THE 
EXERCISES  OF   DEDICATION   AND   REMINIS 
CENCE      ARRANGED     ALPHABETICALLY     BY 
COMPANIES 

COMPANY  A 
GEORGE  H.  BOYD,  HOLDEN;  LUTHER  WAIT,  IPSWICH. 

COMPANY  B 

WILLIAM  ALLEN,  METHUEN;  JOSEPH  ARNOLD,  BOSTON; 
J.  PAYSON  BRADLEY,  BOSTON;  JOSEPH  E.  BUSWELL, 
METHUEN;  ALBERT  L.  DAME,  SOUTH  HANSON;  WILLIAM 
R.  GRIFFIN,  BROCKTON  ;  JOHN  LAHEY,  STONEHAM  ;  SIDNEY 
POORE,  METHUEN;  J.  HENRY  REYNOLDS,  LAWRENCE; 
HENRY  C.  RICHARDSON,  WOBURN;  CHARLES  M.  SAWYER, 
METHUEN;  RUFUS  M.  TURPLE,  EAST  WEYMOUTH. 

COMPANY  C 

JOSEPH  W.  BRAY,  GLOUCESTER;  HENRY  R.  DALTON, 
BOSTON;  HOWARD  P.  GARDNER,  MARBLEHEAD;  HENRY 
M.  HAWKINS,  DORCHESTER;  HORACE  PARKER,  LYNN; 
MARCUS  M.  POOL,  RANDOLPH. 


138  APPENDIX 

COMPANY  D 

WM.    H.    BURCHSTEAD,    BEVERLY;    SAMUEL    M.    DALTON, 

PEABODY;  FRANK  E.  FARNHAM,  PEABODY;  GEORGE  P. 
FERGUSON,  SALEM;  JOHN  C.  FOOTE,  PEABODY;  ISAAC 
E.  FRYE,  DANVERS;  CHARLES  H.  MASURY,  DANVERS; 
GEORGE  P.  MELCHER,  SALEM;  BENJAMIN  C.  NICHOLS, 
SALEM;  GEORGE  F.  PERKINS,  SALEM;  CHARLES  A.  POTTER, 
SALEM. 

COMPANY  E 

WILLIAM  E.  W.  HAMILTON,  MARLBOROUGH;  CHARLES  H. 
SHAW,  CAMBRIDGE. 

COMPANY  F 

GEORGE  S.  GIBSON,  CLINTON;  EDSON  F.  HODGE,  MIL- 
FORD;  GEORGE  W.  LEWIS,  MELROSE  HIGHLANDS;  WIL 
LIAM  M.  LUNT,  GROTON;  WILLIAM  SHARROCK,  LAW 
RENCE;  HENRY  SMITH,  PORTSMOUTH,  N.  H. ;  JOHN  SMITH, 
LAWRENCE;  THOMAS  V.  THORNTON,  RIVERSIDE,  R.  I. 

COMPANY  G 

ALONZO  D.  BUXTON,  SALEM;  NATHAN  B.  M.  INGALLS, 
LYNN;  FRANK  McGEE,  MARBLEHEAD;  JOHN  H.  PUR- 
BECK,  SALEM;  PETER  D.  SMITH,  ANDOVER;  JOHN  I. 
TUCKER,  MARBLEHEAD. 

COMPANY  H 

GEORGE  B.  CLARK,  SOMERVILLE;  ALBERT  GOLDSMITH, 
LAWRENCE;  LEWIS  G.  HOLT,  LAWRENCE;  WYMAN  D. 


APPENDIX  139 

HUSSEY,  LOWELL;  E.  KENDALL  JENKINS,  ANDOVER; 
CHARLES  H.  POOR,  NORTH  ANDOVER;  ZIBA  M.  SAUN- 
DERS,  .READING. 

COMPANY  I 

GEORGE  H.  ABBOTT,  PEABODY;  JOHN  W.  BROWNVILLE, 
GLOUCESTER;  JOHN  F.  DUDLEY,  BEVERLY;  JOHN  METZ- 
GER,  DANVERS;  IRA  F.  TRASK,  DANVERS;  SYLVANUS  F. 
TREAT,  COHASSET. 

COMPANY  K 

JOHN  CHARD,  BROOKLINE;  SYLVESTER  C.  FROST,  ARLING 
TON;  CHARLES  W.  HUNTER,  PETERBORO,  N.  H.;  HIRAM 
W.  JONES,  CONCORD;  JAMES  N.  LEARNED,  RUMNEY 
DEPOT,  N.  H.;  HENRY  C.  McDuFFiE,  BELLOWS  FALLS, 
VT.;  WILLIAM  H.  MERROW,  LAWRENCE;  JUDSON  RILEY, 
MERRIMAC;  JOHN  E.  SHEEHAN,  LAWRENCE;  GEORGE  F. 
TIBBETS,  ARLINGTON;  Lucius  A.  WILDER,  GOSHEN,  IND. 

COMPANY  L 

WILLIAM  A.  CROAK,  RANDOLPH  ;  STANLEY  B.  DEARBORN, 
WAKEFIELD;  JOHN  W.  HART,  SALEM;  WILLIAM  H.  LORD, 
HINGHAM;  WILLIAM  J.  MANSFIELD,  WAKEFIELD;  EDWIN 
F.  SPOFFORD,  MALDEN;  JOHN  F.  WHIPPLE,  SALEM;  IRA 
P.  WILLARD,  IPSWICH;  JOSEPH  E.  WILEY,  STONEHAM. 

COMPANY  M 

RICHARD  ALLEY,  LYNN;  JAMES  P.  BACHELDER,  LYNN; 
JAMES  C.  COLLINS,  SKOWHEGAN,  ME.;  WILLIAM  HAR- 


140  APPENDIX 

RINGTON,  EAST  WEYMOUTH  ;  JOSEPH  W.  HAYDEN,  QUINCY; 
CHARLES  H.  NEWHALL,  LYNN;  PATRICK  O'MALLEY, 

SOMERVILLE ;    HERBERT   W.    PARROTT,    LYNN. 

NAMES  OF  MEMBERS  OF  OLD  CONCORD  POST, 
NO.  1 80,  G.  A.  R. 

Who  formed  the  Escort,  June  16,  1909. 
GEORGE  F.  WHEELER,  Commander. 

EDWARD  J.  BARTLETT;  FRANK  E.  BEMIS;  CYRUS  W. 
BENJAMIN;  GEORGE  W.  BERRY;  G.  M.  BOWKER;  JOHN 
BROWN;  JAMES  W.  CARTER;  JOHN  CLARITY;  GEORGE  B. 
CUNNINGHAM;  JOSEPH  DERBY;  Louis  H.  GEORGE; 
GEORGE  F.  HALL;  MYRICK  L.  HATCH ;  WILLIAM  H.  HUNT; 
ASA  JACOBS;  CHARLES  H.  JOHNSON;  PATRICK  KEEFE; 
CHARLES  D.  LITCHFIELD;  JOHN  H.  LORING;  ANDREW 
R.  MAKER;  EDWARD  H.  MAKER;  JOSEPH  H.  OREN- 
DORFF;  EDWARD  W.  REYNOLDS;  JOHNTASKER;  HIRAM  P. 
WORTH  LEY. 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN  POST,  NO.  u,  CHARLES- 
TOWN 

EDWIN  CHAPMAN. 

G.  B.  PATTEN  POST,  NO.  81,  WATERTOWN 
WILLIAM  H.  BENJAMIN. 


APPENDIX    B 

A  SKETCH  OF  THE 
FIRST    MASSACHUSETTS    HEAVY   ARTILLERY 

IN  the  early  summer  of  1861,  there  was  raised  in  Essex 
County  an  organization  which,  after  reporting  at  Fort 
Warren,  June  25,  was  designated  as  the  Fourteenth  Regi 
ment  of  Infantry,  and  as  such  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service,  July  5.  The  first  Colonel  was  William  B. 
Greene,  who  had  been  educated  at  West  Point,  though  he 
was  not  a  graduate.  Under  his  direction  a  high  degree  of 
efficiency  in  drill  was  attained,  so  that  on  leaving  Boston, 
August  7,  1 86 1,  the  regiment  was  far  better  prepared  than 
the  majority  of  volunteer  organizations  when  departing 
for  the  theatre  of  war. 

Its  orders  on  leaving  Massachusetts  were  to  report  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  but  in  Baltimore  these  were  counter 
manded,  and  the  regiment  proceeded  to  Washington.  Its 
first  camp  was  at  Kalorama,  on  Meridian  Heights,  but  it 
was  soon  ordered  to  Fort  Albany,  on  the  Virginia  side  of 
the  Potomac.  Proving  exceedingly  efficient  in  garrison 
duty,  the  Fourteenth  continued  in  the  forts  and  batteries 
near  and  to  the  southward  of  the  western  terminal  of  the 
Long  Bridge  through  the  remainder  of  the  year.  January 
i,  1862,  a  reorganization  was  effected,  the  regiment  was 


142  APPENDIX 

recruited  up  to  the  Heavy  Artillery  standard,  and  two  new 
companies  were  added. 

Under  a  new  designation,  viz.,  the  First  Heavy  Artillery, 
it  continued  in  garrison  duty  until  August  25,  1862,  when  it 
moved  to  the  front  and  was  present,  though  it  did  not 
participate,  in  the  Second  Bull  Run  fight.  However,  in  its 
reserve  position,  it  was  attacked  by  the  hostile  cavalry,  and 
the  surgical  staff  with  certain  wagoners  was  captured, 
though  the  officers  and  men  were  soon  released  or  paroled. 
Subsequently,  garrison  service  was  performed,  either  oppo 
site  Washington  or  by  a  detachment  at  Maryland  Heights, 
across  the  Potomac  from  Harper's  Ferry,  there  putting  in 
order  the  guns  dismounted  by  order  of  Colonel  Dixon  S. 
Miles  at  the  time  of  the  famous  surrender  just  before 
Antietam. 

During  the  year,  Colonel  Greene  resigned  and  was  suc 
ceeded  by  Colonel  Thomas  R.  Tannatt,  who  was  trans 
ferred  from  the  command  of  the  Sixteenth  Massachusetts 
Infantry,  December  28,  1862.  Colonel  Tannatt  was  a  West 
Pointer,  having  been  graduated  in  1854,  number  7  in  a 
class  of  twenty-seven  members,  no  one  of  whom  attained 
great  distinction  during  the  war,  though  of  the  first  seven 
all,  save  numbers  i  and  7,  went  into  the  Confederate 
service.  During  much  of  the  time  that  the  regiment  re 
mained  in  the  Defenses,  Colonel  Tannatt  was  in  com 
mand  of  the  brigade  which  included  his  own  regiment. 

When  General  Grant  assumed  command  in  the  East, 
he  proceeded  to  utilize  the  well-drilled  troops  thus  far 
remaining  near  Washington,  in  this  way  reinforcing  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  with  forty  thousand  extremely  well- 


APPENDIX  143 

drilled  soldiers.  It  was  May  15,  1864,  that  the  First  Heavy 
Artillery,  acting  as  Infantry,  moved  out  of  the  intrench- 
ments  so  long  occupied  and  reported  in  Alexandria,  going 
thence  in  transports  to  Belle  Plain  Landing  on  Potomac 
Creek  and  joining  the  Army  on  the  lyth.  Assigned  to  the 
Second  Brigade,  Third  Division  of  the  Second  Corps,  it 
soon  was  introduced  to  all  the  exactions  of  active  cam 
paigning. 

Its  baptism  of  blood  was  received  on  the  igth  at  Harris's 
Farm  or  Fredericksburg  Pike,  Fox  making  the  loss  of  killed 
and  mortally  wounded  one  hundred  and  twenty  men  and 
officers.  It  was  in  the  foremost  of  all  subsequent  engage 
ments  of  its  Corps  and  Division,  bearing  on  its  battle  flag 
the  names  of  Winchester,  Spottsylvania,  North  Anna, 
Totopotomy,  Cold  Harbor,  Deep  Bottom,  Poplar  Spring 
Church,  Boydton  Road,  Petersburg  (three  engagements), 
Jerusalem  Road,  Vaughn  Road,  the  Final  Assault  on 
Petersburg,  besides  being  present  at  Maryland  Heights, 
Strawberry  Plain,  Hatcher's  Run,  Sailor's  Creek,  Farm- 
ville,  and  Appomattox. 

The  regimental  loss  in  battle  was  such  that  the  name 
of  the  First  Heavy  is  found  no  less  than  seven  times  in 
Fox's  famous  compilation  of  regimental  records  during  the 
Rebellion.  There  we  find  that  there  were  nine  officers  and 
232  men  killed  or  mortally  wounded,  while  243  more  died 
of  disease  or  in  rebel  prisons,  no  less  than  102  men  thus 
perishing  miserably  yet  gloriously  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Nowhere  did  this  Massachusetts  organization  give  other 
than  a  good  account  of  itself,  fully  sustaining  the  reputation 
that  the  Bay  State  long  ago  established. 


i44  APPENDIX 

Having  largely  reenlisted,  the  First  retained  its  organ 
ization  (though  reduced  to  a  battalion  of  four  companies), 
and  after  Appomattox  resumed  garrison  duty  in  the  De 
fenses,  remaining  there  until  mustered  out.  Colonel  Tan- 
natt  having  resigned  July  15,  1864,  he  was  succeeded  by 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Levi  P.  Wright,  who  was  in  turn  fol 
lowed  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Nathaniel  Shatswell,  who 
came  home  with  the  regiment.  The  command  was  ordered 
to  Massachusetts  on  the  iyth  of  August,  1865,  for  muster 
out.  Reporting  in  Boston  on  the  20th,  it  encamped  on 
Gallop's  Island  until  the  25th,  when  after  four  years  and 
two  months  of  service  it  was  mustered  out.  From  first  to 
last,  there  were  borne  on  the  rolls  of  the  regiment  3439 
names.  To-day,  the  records  of  the  veteran  organization 
show  only  about  five  hundred  men  known  to  be  alive. 


APPENDIX    C 

THE   MORTALITY  AT  ANDERSONVILLE 

IT  chanced  that  James  C.  Melvin  was  one  of  the  Union  sol 
diers  guarding  the  Confederate  prisoners  at  Fort  Delaware 
during  part  of  the  time  that  his  brother  Samuel  was  a  pris 
oner  at  Andersonville.  This  coincidence  has  suggested  a 
comparison  of  the  mortality  rates  in  the  two  prisons  at 
that  time,  and  the  striking  results  are  worth  setting  down 
here. 

In  the  months  of  June,  July,  August,  and  September, 
1864,  there  were  on  an  average  9224  Confederate  prisoners 
confined  at  Fort  Delaware,  and  during  that  time  there  were 
313  deaths,  or  3.39  per  cent.  In  the  same  months  there 
were  on  an  average  25,241  Union  prisoners  at  Anderson 
ville,  and  there  were  during  that  time  8636  deaths,  or  34.21 
per  cent. 

A  report  for  the  month  of  August,  1864,  signed  by  Henry 
Wirz,  shows  that  on  August  i  the  number  of  prisoners 
was  31,678.  In  the  course  of  the  month  2993  died.  "Per 
haps  25  escaped  during  the  month,"  the  report  adds,  "but 
were  taken  up  by  the  dogs." 

It  is  a  melancholy  fact  that  more  Union  soldiers  perished 
at  Andersonville  than  were  killed  on  the  six  most  bloody 
battlefields  of  the  war.  The  total  deaths  at  Andersonville 


146  APPENDIX 

are  reported  as  13,714.  The  numbers  of  Union  men  killed 
in  the  six  battles  referred  to  were  as  follows :  - 

Gettysburg 3070 

Spottsylvania 2725 

The  Wilderness 2246 

Shiloh 1754 

Stone's  River 1730 

Chickamauga 1656 

13,181 

A  great  deal  has  been  said  and  written  about  the  condi 
tions  that  prevailed  at  Andersonville,  and  that  led  to  the 
awful  loss  of  life  there.  In  view  of  some  of  the  almost  in 
credible  entries  in  Samuel  Melvin's  diary,  it  seems  well  to 
add  here  a  few  statements  from  Confederate  sources.  It 
will  be  noted  that  the  first  quotation  relates  to  the  prison, 
the  second  to  the  hospital. 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  Official  Report  of  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  D.  T.  Chandler  to  the  Richmond  authorities, 
dated  August  5,  1864.  "...  The  sanitary  condition  of  the 
prisoners  is  as  wretched  as  can  be,  the  principal  causes 
of  mortality  being  scurvy  and  chronic  diarrhoea.    Nothing 
seems  to  have  been  done,  and  but  little  if  any  effort  made 
to  arrest  it  by  procuring  proper  food.  .  .  .  Raw  rations 

are   issued   to  a  very  large  proportion.  ....  .  No  soap  or 

clothing  has  ever  been  issued.   .  .  .  My  duty  requires  me 

respectfully  to  recommend  a  change  in  the  officer  in  com 
mand  of  the  post,  Brigadier-General  J.  H.  Winder,  and 
the  substitution  in  his  place  of  some  one  who  unites  both 
energy  and  good  judgment  with  some  feeling  of  humanity 
and  consideration  for  the  welfare  and  comfort  (so  far  as  is 


APPENDIX  147 

consistent  with  their  safe-keeping)  of  the  vast  number  of 
unfortunates  placed  under  his  control;  some  one  who  at 
least  will  not  advocate  deliberately  and  in  cold  blood  the 
propriety  of  leaving  them  in  their  present  condition  until 
their  number  has  been  sufficiently  reduced  by  death  to 
make  the  present  arrangement  suffice  for  their  accommo 
dation;  who  will  not  consider  it  a  matter  of  self-laudation 
and  boasting  that  he  has  never  been  inside  of  the  stockade, 
a  place  the  horrors  of  which  it  is  difficult  to  describe,  and 
which  is  a  disgrace  to  civilization  ;  l  the  condition  of  which 
he  might,  by  the  exercise  of  a  little  energy  and  judgment, 
even  with  the  limited  means  at  his  command,  have  con 
siderably  improved.  .  .  ." 

A  month  later,  September  5,  J.  Crews  Pelot,  Assistant  Sur 
geon,  C.  S.  A.,  reported  thus  on  the  condition  of  the  hos 
pital  :"...!  would  earnestly  call  attention  to  the  article 
of  diet.  The  corn-bread  received  from  the  bakery,  being 
made  up  without  sifting,  is  wholly  unfit  for  the  use  of  the 
sick;  and  often  (in  the  last  twenty- four  hours)  upon  exami 
nation,  the  inner  portion  is  found  to  be  perfectly  raw.  The 
meat  (beef)  received  by  the  patients  does  not  amount  to 
over  two  ounces  a  day,  and  for  the  past  three  or  four  days  no 
flour  has  been  issued.  The  corn-bread  cannot  be  eaten  by 
many,  for  to  do  so  would  be  to  increase  the  diseases  of  the 
bowels,  from  which  a  large  majority  are  suffering,  and  it  is 
therefore  thrown  away.  All  their  rations  received  by  way 
of  sustenance  is  two  ounces  of  boiled  beef  and  half  pint  of 
rice  soup  per  day.  Under  these  circumstances,  all  the  skill 
that  can  be  brought  to  bear  upon  their  cases  by  the  medical 
"The  italics  are  not  in  the  original. 


148  APPENDIX 

officer  will  avail  nothing.  Another  point  to  which  I  feel  it 
my  duty  to  call  your  attention  is  the  deficiency  of  medicines. 
We  have  but  little  more  than  indigenous  barks  and  roots 
with  which  to  treat  the  numerous  forms  of  disease  to  which 
our  attention  is  daily  called.  For  the  treatment  of  wounds, 
ulcers,  etc.,  we  have  literally  nothing  except  water.  Our 
wards  —  some  of  them  —  are  filled  with  gangrene,  and  we  are 
compelled  to  fold  our  arms  and  look  quietly  upon  its  rav 
ages,  not  even  having  stimulants  to  support  the  system 
under  its  depressing  influences,  this  article  being  so  limited 
in  supply  that  it  can  only  be  issued  for  cases  under  the  knife. 
I  would  respectfully  call  your  attention  to  the  above  facts, 
in  the  hope  that  something  may  be  done  to  alleviate  the 
sufferings  of  the  sick.  .  .  ." 


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